IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


I  I.I 
11.25 


wizi  121 

■so    *^~      li^Hi 

III  lU   ^^ 
2.0 


£  Itt  I 


1.4 


FhotDgraphic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


M  WHT  MAIN  ITHIT 
WIIITU,N.Y.  14SM 

(7U)I7S'4I0> 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVl/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Mierortproduotions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


C^ 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Nota*  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquat 


Tha  Instituta  has  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bast 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  this 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagas  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  significantly  changa 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


□    Coloured  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I      I   Covers  damaged/ 


D 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Couverture  endommagia 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurAe  at/ou  pelliculte 


I     I   Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I     I   Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gAographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  init  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  biaclt)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I     I   Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  iliustrationa  an  coulaur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relit  avac  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrAe  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainas  pages  blanchaa  ajouttes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte. 
mais.  lorsqua  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
paa  AtA  filmtes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentairas  supplAmentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  le  melllaur  axamplalra 
qu'il  lui  a  «tA  possible  de  sa  procurer.  Las  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  paut-Atra  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  pauvant  modifier 
una  image  /eproduite.  ou  qui  pauvant  axigar  una 
modification  dans  la  m*thoda  normala  da  fllmag* 
sont  indiquAs  ci-daasous. 


Th4 
to 


|~n   Coloured  pages/ 


D 
D 

a 
0 


n 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


Pagea  da  coulaur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagAas 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurAas  at/ou  pallloulias 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dAcolorAes.  tachatias  ou  pIquAas 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  dAtachAes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


rri   Quality  of  print  varies/ 


QualitA  inAgala  de  I'lmprassion 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  matAriel  supplAmentaira 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Adition  disponible 


Th< 
poi 
ofi 
filn 


Ori 
baf 
tha 
sioi 
oth 
firs 
sioi 
ori 


Tha 
aha 
TIN 
whi 

Mai 
diff( 
anti 
bag! 
righ 
raqi 
mat 


Pages  wholly  or  pertially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc..  have  been  rafilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Las  pages  totalement  ou  partiallement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errita,  una  palure, 
etc.,  ont  AtA  filmAes  A  nouvaau  da  fa^on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


26X 


30X 


V 

12X                            16X                           20X                            24X                           28X                           32X 

1 

Th*  copy  filmed  har*  hat  b««n  r«produc«d  thanks 
to  th«  g«n«ro«ity  of: 

Douglas  Library 
Quoan's  Univartlty 

Tha  Imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poaalbia  conaMaring  tha  condition  and  laglblllty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  Icaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  apaclf icationa. 


Original  copiaa  in  printad  papar  covara  ara  fllmad 
beginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad  or  lllustratad  impraa- 
sion.  or  tha  bacic  covar  whan  approprlata.  All 
othar  original  copiaa  ara  fllmad  beginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  Impraa- 
slon,  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illuatratad  Imprassion. 


Tha  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — »■  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  ere  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  fiimA  f ut  reprodult  grice  A  la 
gAnirositA  da: 

Douglas  Library 
Queen's  University 

Lee  Images  suivantae  ont  4t*  reproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nettetA  de  I'exempieire  fiimA,  et  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
fllmage. 

Lee  exempleires  originaux  dont  la  couvarture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sent  fiimAs  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  termlnant  soit  par  la 
darnlAre  paga  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'lllustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autres  exempleires 
originaux  sent  fiimAs  an  comman9ant  par  la 
pramlAre  paga  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impreealon  ou  d'iilustratlon  at  en  termlnant  par 
la  dernlAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
darniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  seion  le 
cas:  le  symbols  -^^  signlfle  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  ▼  signlfle  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
fllmAs  A  des  taux  da  rAduction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reprodult  en  un  seul  cilchA.  II  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite. 
et  de  haut  an  has.  an  prenant  le  nombre 
d'imeges  nAcesseire.  Les  diegrammes  suivants 
iiiustrent  la  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

t 

GUIDII  TO  HEALTH; 

OR 

80TANX0  r AMZLY  FHYMOZAir. 

CORTAIHINS 

A  COMPLBTE  SYSTEM  OF  PRACTICE, 

ON  A  PLAN  ENTIRELY  NEW: 

WITH  A  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  VEGETABLES  MADE 

USE  OF,  AND  DIRECTIONS  FOR  PREPARING  AND 

ADMfNIBTfiRlNG  THEM,  TO  CURE  DISEASE. 

TO^  WHICH  18   ADDBD, 
01* 

SEVERAL  CASES  OF  DISEASE, 

•     ATTENDED  BY  THE  AUTHOR,  WITH  THE 
MODE  OF  TREATMENT  AND  CURE. 


BT  SAMVBZi  TBOMSOir. 

'  BOSTON: 

Printt4  for  the  Aather,  and  anld  by  hia  General  Agenli  al 
the  Office  of  the  BoBlon  Inveaiigator. . 

J.  Q.  AoAHi,  Printer. 
1835. 


'«i 


Entered  atccording  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  jewr 
1835,  by  Samukl  Thomson,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of 
the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


t  • 


f 


# 


TO  TBB  PUBLIC. 


year 
ice  of 


The  preparing  the  following  work  for  the  press  has 
been  a  task  of  much  difficulty  and  labor;  for  to  com- 
prise in  a  short  compass,  and  to  conrey  a  correct  under- 
standing of  the  subject,  from  such  a  mass  of  materials 
as  I  have  been  enabled  to  collect  by  thirty  years  practice, 
is  a  business  of  no  small  magnitude.  The  plan  that  has 
been  adopted  I  thought  the  best  to  give  a  correct  knowl- 
edge of  my  system  of  practice ;  and  am  confident  th^t 
the  descriptions  and  directions  are  sufficiently  explained 
to  be  understood  by  all  those  who  take  an  interest  in  this 
important  subject.  Much  more  might  have  been  writ- 
ten; but  the  main  object  has  been  to  confine  it  to  the 
practice,  and  nothing  more  is  stated  of  the  theory,  than 
what  was  necessary  to  give  a  general  knowledge  of  the 
system.  If  any  errors  should  be  discovered,  it  is  hoped 
that  they  will  be  viewed  with  candor;  for  in  first  pub- 
lishing a  work,  such  things  are  to  be  expected;  but 
much  care  has  been  taken  that  there  should  be  no  error, 
which  would  cause  any  mistake  in  the  practice,  or  pre- 
paring the  medicine. 

Many  persons  are  practising  by  my  system,  who  are 
in  the  habit  of  pretending  °  that  they  have  made  great 
improvements,  and  in  some  instances,  it  is  well  known 
that  poisonous  drugs  have  been  mad4  use  of  under  the 
name  of  my  medicine,  which  has  counteracted  its  operas 
(ion,  and  thereby  tended  to  destroy  the  confidence  of 
the  public  in  my  system  of  practice ;  this  has  never  been 
authorized  by  me.    The  public  are  therefore  cautioned 


fl 


4  AGREEMENT.  j| 

'  against  such  conduct,  and  all  those  who  are  well  dispos" 
ed  towards  my  system,  are  desired  to  lend  their  aid  in 
exposing  all  such  dishonest  practices,  in  order  that  jus- 
tice may  be  done.  Those  who  possess  this  work,  may, 
by  examining  it,  be  able  to  detect  any  improper  de- 
viations therefrom;  and  they  are  assured  that  any  prac- 
tice which  is  not  conformable  to  the  directions  given, 
and  does  not  agree  with  the  principles  herein  laid 
down,  is  unauthorized  by  me. 

[N.B In  all  places  ickere  f'tklHy  years  practice**  is 

mentioned  or  alluded  to,  U  means  at  the  time  the  work  was 
first  published,  in  1822.]  I' 


ii  (HiB IB  a  HI  a  ST  V  • 

The  Subscriber,  who  is  the  discoverer  and  proprietor 
of  the  system  of  medical  practice  contained  in  this  work, 
agrees  to  give,  whenever  applied  to,  any  information, 
that  shall  be  necessary  to  give  a  complete  understanding 
6f  the  obtaining,  preparing  and  using  all  such  vegetables 
B'j  are  made  use  of  in  said  system,  to  all  those  who  pur- 
chase the  right;  and  the  purchasers,  in  consideration  of 
the  above  information,  and  also  what  is  contained  in  this 
book,  agree  in  the  spirit  of  mutual  interest  and  honor, 
not  to  reveal  any  part  of  said  information,  to  any  person, 
except  those  who  purchase  the  right,  to  the  injury  of  the 
proprietor,  under  the  penalty  of  forfeiting  their  word  and 
honor,  and  all  right  to  the  use  of  the  medicine.  And 
every  person  who  purchases  the  right,  is  to  be  consider- 
ed a  member  of  the  Friendly  Botanic  Society,  and  enti- 
tled to  a  free  intercourse  with,  the  members  ibr  informa- 
tion and  friendly  assistance. 

SASIVBI.    THOMSON. 


,» 


NEW  GUIDE  TO  HEALTH; 
^  on, 


nVTRODVOTZOir. 

There  are  three  things  which  have  in  a  greater  ot 
less  degree,  called  the  attention  of  men,  viz:  Religion, 
Government,  and  Medicine.  In  ages  past,  these  things 
were  thought  by  n)illions  to  belong  to  three  classes  of 
men,  Priests,  Lawyers  and  Physicians.  The  Priests  held 
the  things  of  religion  in  their  own  hands,  and  brought 
the  people  to  their  terms;  kept  the  Scriptures  in  the 
dead  languages,  so  that  the  common  peer'?  could  not 
read  them.  Those  days  of  darkness  are  t^>ne  away; 
the  Scriptures  are  translated  into  our  own  language,  and 
each  one  is  taught  to  read  for  himself.  Government  was 
once  considered  as  belonging  to  a  few,  who  thought 
themselves  "born  only  to  rule."  The  common  people 
have  now  become  acquainted  with  the  great  secret  of 
government,  and  know  that  "all  men  are  born  free  and 
equal,"  and  that  Magistrates  are  put  in  authority,  or  out, 
by  the  voice  of  the  people,  who  choose  them  for  their 
public  servants. 

. ,  While  these,  and  many  other  things  are  brought  where 
"common  people"  can  understand  them;  the  knowl- 
edge- and  use  of  medicine,  is  in  a  great  mt^asure  conceal- 
ed in  a  dead  language,  and  a  sick  man  is  often  obliged 
to  risk  his  life,,  where  he  would  not  risk  a  dollar;  and 
should  the  apothecary  or  his  apprentice  make  a  mistake, 
1* 


'* 


:'>% 


6 


Aeio  Grtitde  to  Health; 


the  pick  man  cannot  correct  it,  and  thus  is  exposed  to 
receive  an  instrument  oi'  deutli,  instead  of  that  Mhich 
would  restore  him  to  health  iiad  he  known  good  medicine. 

"  It  may  be  alleged,"  said  lir.  Buchan,  "  that  layinff 
medicine  more  open  to  mankind,  would  lessen  their  faith 
in  it.  This  indeed  would  be  the  case  with  regard  to 
some;  but  it  would  have  a  quite  contrary  effect  upon 
others.  I  know  many  people  who  have  the  utmost  dread 
and  horror  of  every  thing  prescribed  by  a  physician,  who 
w411,  nevertheless,  very  readily  take  a  medicine  which 
they  know,  and  whose  qualities  they  are  in  some  measure 
acquainted  with."- 

'*  Nothing  ever  can,  or  will  inspire  mankind  with  an 
absolute  confidence  in  physicians,  but  by  their  being 
open,  frank,  and  undisguised  in  their  behavior." 

"The  most  effectual  way  to  destroy  quackery  in  any 
art  or  science,  is  to  diffuse  the  knowledge  of  it  among 
mankind.  Did  physicians  write  their  prescriptions  in 
the  common  language  of  the  country,  and  explain  their 
intentions  to  the  patient,  as  far  as  he  could  understand 
them,  it  would  .enable  them  to  know  when  the  medicine 
had  the  desired  effect;  would  inspire  him  with  absolute 
confidence  in  the  physician ;  and  would  make  him  dread 
and  detest  every  man  who  pretended  to  cram  a  secret 
medicine  or  poison  down  his  throat." 

It  is  true,  that  much  of  what  is  at  this  day  called  med- 
icine, is  deadly  poison;  and  were  people  to  know  what 
is  offered  them  of  this  kind,  they  would  absolutely  re- 
fuse ever  to  receive  it  as  a  medicine.  This  I  have  long 
seen  and  known  to  be  true ;  and  have  labored  hard  for 
many  years  to  convince  them  of  the  evils  that  attend 
such  a  mode  of  procedure  Avith  the  sick;  and  have  turn- 
ed my  attention  to  those  medicines  that  grow  in  our  own 
country,  which  Nature  has  prepared  for  the  benefit  of 
mankind.  Long  has  a  general  medicine  been  sought 
for,  and  I  am  confident  I  have  found  such  as  are  uni- 
versally applicable  in  all  cases  of  disease,  and  which 
may  be  used  with  safety  and  success,  in  the  hands  of  the 
people. 

After  thirty  years  study,  and  repeated  successful  trials 
of  the  medicinal  vegetables  of  our  own  country,  in  all 
the  diseases  incident  to  our  climate:   I  can  with  well 


^1 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


our  own 


groundi  d  aMiirance,  recommend  my  aystrm  of  practice 
and  mcdicincM  to  the  public,  as  salutary  and  cflicacious. 

Great  discoveries  and  improvements  have  been  made 
in  vnrluus  arts  and  sciences  since  the  first  settlement  of 
our  country,  while  its  medicines  have  been  very  much 
neglected.  As  these  medicines,  suited  to  every  disease, 
grow  itpontaneously  upon  our  own  soil;  as  they  are  bet- 
ter adapted  to  the  constitution;  as  the  price  of  imported 
drugi  is  very  high;  it  follows,  whether  we  consult  health 
whiuh  is  of  primary  importance,  or  expense,  a  decided 
preference  should  be  given  to  the  former,  as  an  object 
of  tueh  tnagnitude  as  no  longer  to  be  neglected.  Yet 
in  the  iiitrouuction  of  those  medicines  I  have  been  vio- 
lently opposed^  and  my  theory  and  practice  condemned, 
notwithstanding  the  demonstrative  proofs  in  their  favor. 
But,  those  who  thus  condemn,  have  taken  no  pains  to 
throw  off  prc\judice,  and  examine  the  subject  with  can- 
dor and  impartiality.  Such  as  have,  are  thoroughly  sat- 
iafled  of  their  utility  and  superior  excellence. 

From  those  who  measure  a  man's  understanding  and 
ability  to  be  beneficial  to  his  fellow  men  only  from  the 
aeouisition  he  has  ihade  in  literature  from  books;  from 
iuoh  as  are  governed  h^  outward  appearance,  and  who 
will  not  stoop  to  examine  a  system  on  the  ground  of  its 
intrinaio  merit,  I  expect  not  encouragement,  but  opposi- 
tion. But  this  will  not  discourage  nrra*  I  consider  the 
diieovery  1  have  made,  of  inestimable  value  to  mankind, 
and  intended  for  the  great  benefit  of  those  who  are  will- 
ing to  receive  it. 

%@ing  born  in  a  new  country,  at  that  time  almost  a 
howling  wilderness,  my  advantages  for  an  education  were 
very  imall ;  but  possessing  a  natural  gift  for  examining 
the  thingii  of  Nature,  my  mind  was  left  entirely  free  to 
fellow  that  inclination,  by  inquiring  into  the  meaning  of 
the  great  variety  of  objects  around  me. 

PosiieiMing  a  body  like  other  men,  I  was  led  to  inquire 
into  the  nature  of  the  component  parts  of  what  man  is 
made.  1  found  him  composed  of  the  four  elements — 
Earth,'  Water,  Air  and  Fire.  The  earth  and  water,  I 
found  were  the  solids;  the  air  and  fire  the  fluids.  The 
two  first  I  found  to  be  the  component  parts;  the  two 
laat  kept  him  in  motion.     Heat,  I  found,  was  life;  and 


JV*ei0  Chide  to  Health; 


1 


Cold,  death.  Each  one  who  examineii  into  it  will  find 
that  all  constitutiona  are  alike.  I  shall  now  describe  the 
fuel  which  continues  the  fire,  or  life  of  man.  This  is 
contained  in  two  things,  food  and  medicines;  which  are 
in  harmony  with  each  other;  often  grow  in  the  same  field, 
to  he  used  by  the  same  people.  People  who  are  capable 
of  raising  their  food,  and  preparing  the  same,  may  as 
easily  learn  to  collect  and  prepare  all  their  medicines 
and  administer  the  same  when  it  is  needed.  Our  life 
depends  on  heat;  food  is  the  fuel  that  kindles  and  con- 
tinues that  heat.  The  digestive  powers  being  correct, 
causes  the  food  to  consume;  this  continues  the  warmth 
of  the  body,  by  continually  supporting  the  fire. 

The  stomach  is  the  depository  from  which  the  whole  bo- 
dy is  supported.  I'he  heat  is  maintained  in  the  stomach 
•by  consuming  the  food ;  and  all  the  body  and  limbs  re- 
ceive their  proportion  of  nourishment  and  heat  from  that 
source  *,  as  the  whole  room  is  warmed  by  the  fuel  which 
is  consumed  in  the  fire  place.  The  greater  the  quantity 
of  wood  consumed  in  the  fire  place,  the  greater  the  heat 
in  the  room.  So  in  the  body;  the  more  food,  well  di- 
gested, the  more  heat  and  support  through  the  whole 
man.  By  constantly  receiving  food  into  the  stomach, 
which  is  sometimes  not  suitable  for  the  best  nourishment, 
the  stomach  becomes  foul,  so  that  the  food  is  not  well 
digested.  This  causes  the  body  to  lose  its  heat ;  then 
the  appetite  fails;  the  bones  acne,  and  the  man  is  sick 
in  every  part  of  the  whole  frame. 

This  situation  of  the  body  shows  the  need  of  me'di- 
cine,  and  the  kind  needed ;  which  is  such  as  will  clear 
the  stomach  and  bowels,  and  restore  the  digestive  powers. 
When  this  is  done,  the  food  will  raise  the  heat  again,  and 
nourish  the  whole  man.  All  the  art  required  to  do  this 
is,  to  know  what  medicine  will  do  it,  and  how  to  admin- 
ister it,  as  a  person  knows  how  to  clear  a  stove  and  the 
pipe  when  clogged  with  soot,  that  the  fire  may  burn  free, 
and  the  whole  room  be  warm  as  before. 

The  body,  ader  being  cleared  of  whatever  clogs  it, 
will  consume  double  the  food,  and  the  food  will  afford 
double  the  nourishment  and  heat  that  it  did  before.  We 
know  that  our  life  depends  on  food,  and  the  stomach  be- 
ing in  a  situation  to  receive  and  digest  it.     When  the 


\viU  find 
tribe  the 
This  is 
hich  are 
.me  field, 
)  capahle 
,  may  as 
[ledicines 
Our  life 
and  con- 
correct, 
)  warmth 

whole  bo- 
!  stomach 
limbs  re- 
from  that 
uel  which 
9  quantity 
r  the  heat 
,  well  di- 
he  whole 
stomach, 
irishment, 
J  not  well 
eat;   then 
an  is  sick 

of  me'di- 
will  clear 
le  powers, 
igain,  and 

o  do  this 
to  ndmin- 
and  the 

)urn  free, 

clogs  it, 
^ill  afford 
ore.  We 
imach  bc- 
iVhen  the 


or,  Botanic  Family  Phijiician.  9 

stomach  and  bowels  are  clogged,  all  that  is  needed,  is 
the  m^»at  suitable  medicine  to  remove  the  obstructiums  in 
the  system.  All  disease  is  caused  by  clogging  the  sys- 
tem; and  all  disease  is  removed  by  restormg  the  diges- 
tive powers,  so  that  food  may  keep  up  that  heat  on  which 
life  depends. 

I  have  found  by  experience,  that  the  learned  doctors 
are  wrong  in  considering  fever  a  disease  or  enemy ;  the 
fever  is  u>  friend,  and  cold  the  enemy.  This  I  found  by 
their  practice  in  my  family,  until  they  had  five  times  given 
them  over  to  die.  Exercising  my  own  judgment,  i  fol- 
lowed after  them,  and  relieved  my  family  every  time.  Af^ 
ter  finding  a  general  principle  respecting  fevers,  and  re- 
ducing that  to  practice,  I  found  it  sure  in  ail  disease, 
where  there  was  any  nature  left  to  build  on,  and  in  three 
years  constant  practice,  I  never  lost  one  patient. 

I  attended  on  all  the  fevers  peculiar  to  our  country,  and 
always  used  it  as  a  friend,  and  tharreturncd  the  gratitude 
to  the  patient.  I  soon  began  to  give  this  information  to 
the  people,  and  conviifced  many  that  they  might  as  cer- 
tainly relieve  themselvesof  their  disease,  as  of  their  hun- 
ger. The  expense  to  them  to  be  always  able  to  relieve 
themselves  and  families,  would  he  but  small;  and  the 
medicine  they  may  procure  and  prepare  themselves.    ' 

This  greatly  disturbed  the  learned  doctors,  and  some  of 
them  undertook  to  destroy  me,  by  reporting  that  I  used 
poison ;  though  they  made  no  men'.ion  of  my  using  their 
mstrumcnts  of  death.  Mercury,  Opium,  Ratsbane,  Nitre, 
and  the  lancet.  I  considered  it  my  duty  to  withstand 
them,  though  I  found  my  overthrow  was  what  they  aimed 
at.  A  plan  was  once  laid  to  take  me  in  the  night,  but  I 
escaped.  Next  I  was  indicted  as  though  I  had  given  poi- 
son, and  a  bill  brought  against  me  for  wilful  murder.  I 
was  buund  in  irons  and  thrust  into  prison,  to  be  kept  there 
through  the  winter,  without  being  allowed  bail.  I  peti- 
tioned for  and  obtained  a  special  court  to  try  the  cause, 
and  was  honorably  acquitted,  after  forty  days  imprison- 
ment. I  maintained  my  integrity  in  the  place  where  my 
persecution  began.  In  five  years,  while  vindicating  this 
new  and  useful  discovery,  I  lost  five  thousand  dollars,  be- 
sides all  the  persecution,  trouble,  loss  of  health,  and  re* 
proach  which  has  been  in  connection  with  the  losses. 


10 


JVeif  Guide  to  Health; 


It  hai  boen  acknowledged,  even  by  those  who  arc  un- 
Oitndly  to  ine  and  my  practice,  that  niy  medicine  may 
be  good  in  some  particular  cases,  but  not  in  all.  But 
tbii  ii  an  error.  I^'or  there  i  re  but  two  great  priaciples 
in  tlio  constitution  of  things,  whether  applied  to  the  mind 
or  body;  the  principle  ol  life  and  the  principle  of  death. 
That  which  contains  the  principle  of  life,  may  be  per- 
vsrted,  by  a  misapplication,  into  an  administration  of 
death;  us  tho  stomach  may  be  overloaded,  and  mjurcd, 
eviM)  by  wholesome  food;  but  nothing  that  is  wholesome 
in  Any  case,  unless  abused,  can  be  even  tortured  into  an 
adminintrntion  of  death.  If,  then,  a  medicine  is  good  in 
any  case,  it  is  because  it  is  agreeable  to  nature,  or  this 
principle  of  life,  the  very  opposite  of  disease.  If  it  is 
egri'tjuble  in  one  case,  it  must  be  absolutely  so  in  all. 
By  the  active  operation  of  nature,  the  whole  animal 
economy  is  carried  on;  and  the  father  of  the  healing 
art,  Hippocrates,  tells  us,  what  is  an  obvious  truth,  that 
Nature  w  heat.  The  principle  is  the  same  in  all,  dif- 
fering only  in  degree.  When  disease  invades  the  frame, 
it  reniiitM  in  proportion  to  its  force,  till  overpowered  into 
■ubmiHMion,  and  when  extinguished,  death  follows,  and 
it  ceases  to  operate  alike  in  all.  If  then,  heat  is  life, 
and  itM  extinction  death,  a  diminution  of  this  vital  flame 
in  cvaty  instance,  constitutes  disease,  and  is  an  ap- 
proximation to  death.  All  then,  that  medicine,  can  do 
in  the  expulsion  of  disorder,  is  to  kindle  up  the  decay- 
ing ipark,  and  restore  its  energy  till  it  glows  in  all  its 
wonted  vigor.  If  a  direct  administration  can  be  made 
to  produce  this  effect,  and  it  can.  it  is  evidently  imma- 
terial what  is  the  name,  or  color  of  the  disease,  whether 
bilious,  yellofV,  scarlet  or  spotted;  whether  it  is  simple 
or  complicated,  or  whether  nature  has  one  enemy  or 
more.  Names,  are  arbitrary  things,  the  knowledge  of 
a  name  is  but  the  curnmin  and  annis,  but  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  tho  origin  of  a  malady,  and  its  antidote,  lies 
the  weightier  matters  of  this  science.  This  knowl- 
edge mnkes  the  genuine  physician;  all  without  it  is  real 
quackery. 

It  has  been  a  general  opinion  that  extensive  study  and 
great  erudition,  are  necessary  to  form  the  eminent  phy- 
itciun.    But  all  this  may  be  as  Paul  saith,  but  science, 


fy 
to 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


n 


0  arc  un- 
:ine  may 
all.  But 
priaciples 

the  mind 
of  death. 
y  be  per- 
tration  of 
\  mjured, 
wholesome 
sd  into  an 
IS  good  in 
re,  or  this 
.     If  it  is 
so  in  all. 
le    animal 
le  healing 
truth,  that 
n  all,  dif- 
the  frame, 
vered  into 
ilows,  and 
;at  is  life, 
^ital  flame 
is  an    ap- 
e,  can  do 
he  decay- 

1  in  all  its 
I  be  made 
itly  imma- 
3,  whether 
k  is  simple 

enemy  or 
►>vledge  of 
he  knowl- 
tidote,  lies 
is  knowl- 
it  it  is  real 

study  and 
inent  phy- 
ijt  science, 


falsely  so  called.  A  man  may  have  a  scientific  knowl- 
edge of  the  human  frami,  he  may  know  the  names  in 
every  language  of  overv  medicine,  mineral  and  vegeta- 
ble, as  well  as  every  disease,  and  yet  be-  a  miserable 
physician,  But  there  have  been  men  without  this  to 
boast  of,  from  the  earliest  ages  of  the  world,  who  have 
''arisen,  blest  with '  the  lublimer  powers  of  genius,  who 
have  as  it  were,  with  one  look  pierced  creation,  and  with 
one  comprehensive  view,  grasped  the  whole  circle  of 
science,  and  left  learning  itself,  toiling  afler  them  in 
vain."  A  man  never  can  be  great  without  intellect,  and 
he  never  can  mure  than  Htl  the  measure  of  his  capacity. 
There  is  a  power  beyond  the  reach  of  art,  and  there  are 
gifts  that  study  and  learning  can  never  rival. 

The  practice  of  the  regular  physicians,  that  is  those 
who  get  a  diploma,  at  the  present  time,  is  not  to  use 
those  means  which  would  bo  moiit  likely  to  cure  disease; 
but  to  try  experiments,  upon  what  they  have  read  in 
books,  and  to  see  how  much  a  patient  can  bear  without 
producing  death.  AlUr  pursuing  this  plan  during  their 
lives,  they  know  just  about  as  much  as  they  did  when 
they  began  to  prac^ce,  of  what  is  really  useful  to  man- 
kind. If  a  patient  dies  under  their  hands,  why,  it  is  the 
will  of  God,  and  they  are  sure  to  get  extravagantly  paid 
for  their  trouble,  and  nothing  more  is  said  about  it;  but 
if  one  out  of  hundreds  of  my  patients  die,  and  where  the 
doctors*  have  given  them  over  as  incurable,  they  at  once 
cry  out,  that  it  is  quackery,  that  I  gave  them  poison,  &c. 
for  the  purpose  of  running  me  and  my  medicine  down, 
and  to  prevent  its  being  used  by  the  people.  The  fact  is 
well  known  to  thousands  who  have  used  my  medicine, 
and  to  which  they  are  ready  to  attest,  that  it  is  perfectly 
harmless,  and  I  defy  the  faculty  to  produce  one  instance 
wherein  it  has  had  any  bad  effects. 

It  is  true  that  the  study  of  anatomy,  or  structure  of  the 
human  body,  and  of  the  whole  animal  economy  is  pleas- 
ing and  useful;  nor  is  there  any  objection  to  this,  how- 
ever minute  and  critical,  if  it  is  not  to  the  neglect  of  first 
great  principles,  and  the  weightier  matters  of  knowledge. 
But  it  is  no  more  necessary  to  mankind  at  large,  to  quali- 
fy them  to  administer  relief  from  pain  and  sickness,  than 
to  a  cook  in  preparing  food  to  satisfy  hunger  and  nourish- 


12 


►1* 


A'«w  Guide  to  lieallht 


ing  the  body.  There  ii  one  general  cauie  of  hunger 
and  one  general  BUfjply  offood;  one  general  cause  of 
disease,  and  one  general  remedy.  One  can  be  satisfied, 
and  the  other  removed,  by  an  iuBnite  variety  of  articles, 
best  adapted  to  those  dilferent  purpuHcs.  That  medicine, 
therefore,  that  will  open  obitructiun,  promote  perspira- 
tion, and  restore  digestion,  in  suited  to  every  patient, 
whatever  form  the  disease  assumei^,  and  is  universally 
applicable.  And  acute  disorders,  mucIi  as  fevers,  cholics, 
and  dysentery,  may  be  relieved  thereby,  in  twenty-four 
or  forty-eight  hours,  at  most. 


REMARKS    ON   FEVERS. 


i 

Much  has  been  said  and  written  upon  fevers,  by  the 
professedly  learned  Doctors  of  Medicine,  without  throw- 
ing the  most  .profitable  light  on  the  subject,  or  greatly 
benefiting  mankind.  They  have  been  abundantly  fruit- 
ful in  inventing  names  for  disease,  and  with  great  care 
and  accuracy  distinguished  the  different  symptoms;  but 
they  appear  quite  barren  as  to  the  knowledge  of  their 
origin  and  remedy.  To  the  first,  but  little  importance, 
comparatively  speaking,  can  be  attached;  the  latter  is  of 
the  highest  importance  to  all  classes  of  people. 

According  to  the  writings  of  learrM)d  Physicians,  there 
are  a  great  variety  of  fevers,  some  more  and  some  less 
dangerous.  But  to  begin  with  a  definition  of  the*NAME. 
What  is  fever?  Heat,  undoubtedly,  though  »  disturbed 
operation  of  it.  But  is  there  in  the  human  frame,  more 
than  one  kind  of  heat?  Yes,  says  the  physician,  strange 
as  it  may  appear,  there  is  the  pleuritic  heat,  the  slow 
nervous  heat,  the  putrid  heat,  the  hectic  heat,  the  yellow 
heat,  the  spotted  or  cold  heat,  the  typhus  or  ignorant 
heat,  and  many  other  heats;  and  sometimes,  calamitous 
to  tell,  one  poor  patient  has  the  most,  or  the  whole  of 
these  fevers,  and  dies  at  last  for  want  of  heat  I 

Is  fever  or  heat  a  disease?  Hippocrates,  the  acknowl- 
edged father  of  physicians,  mamtainfd  that  nature  is 
heat;  and  he  is  correct,  Is  nature  a  disease?  Surely 
it  is  not.  What  is  commonly  called  fever,  is  tire  effect, 
and  not  the  cause  of  disease.  It  is  the  struggle  of  na- 
ture to  throw  off  disease.    The  ould  causes  an  obstruc- 


oVf  Botanic  Family  Pkyncian. 


13 


r  hunger 
cause  of 
aatistied, 
'  articles, 
iiedicine, 
perspiia- 
f  patient, 
niversaily 
I,  cholics, 
enty-four 


1,  by  the 
lut  tUrow- 
»r  greatly 
ntly  fruit- 
reat  care 
toms;  but 
e  of  their 
iportance, 
utter  is  of 

ans,  there 

some  less 

he 'Name. 

disturbed 

me,  more 

1,  strange 

the  slow 

he  yellow 

ignorant 

alamitous 

whole  of 

acknowi- 
nature  is 
Surely 
he  effect, 
ie  of  na- 
obstruc- 


lion,  and  fever  arises  in  consequence  of  that  obstruction 
to  throw  it  off.  This  is  universally  the  case.  Remove 
the  cause,  the  effect  will  cease.  No  person  ever  yet 
died  of  a  fever!  for  as  death  approaches,  the  patient 
grows  cold,  until  in  death,  the  last  spark  of  heat  is  ex- 
tinguished. This  the  learned  doctors  cannot  deny ;  and 
as  this  is  true,  they  ought,  injustice,  to  acknowledge  that 
their  whole  train  of  depletive  remedies,  such  as  bleed- 
ing, blistering,  physicking,  starving,  with  all  their  refrig- 
eratives;  their  opium,  mercury,  arsenic,  antimony,  nitre, 
&c.  are  so  many  deadly  engines,  combined  with  the  di»- 
ease,  against  the  constitution  and  life  of  the  patient.  If 
cold,  which  is  the  commonly  received  opinion,  and  which 
is  true,  is  the  cause  of  fever,  to  repeatedly  bleed  the  pa- 
tient, and  administer  mercury,  opium,  nitre,  and  other 
refrigerents  to  restore  him  to  health,  is  as  though  a  man 
should,  to  increase  a  fire  in  his  room,  throw  a  part  of  it 
out  of  the  house,  and  to  increase  the  remainder,  put  on 
water,  snow  and  ice! 

As  it  is  a  fact,  that  cannot  be  denied,  that  fever  takes 
its  rise  from  one  great  cause  or  origin,  it  follows  of 
course,  that  one  method  of  removing  that  cause,  will 
answer  in  all  cases';  and  the  great  principle  is  to  assirt 
nature,  which  is  heat. 

At  the  commencement  of  a  fever,  by  direct  and  proper 
application  of  suitable  medicine,  it  can  be  easily  and 
speedily  removed,  and  the  patient  need  not  be  confined 
long.  Twenty-four  or  forty-eight  hours,  to  the  extent, 
arc  sufficient,  and  oflen  short  of  that  time,  the  fever  may 
be  removed,  or  that  which  is  the  cause  of  it.  But  where 
the  patient  is  left  unassisted,  to  struggle  with  the  disease, 
until  his  strength  is  exhausted,  and  more  especially,  when 
the  most  unnatural  and  injurious  administrations  are 
made  if  a  recovery  is  possible,  it  must  of  necessity  take 
a  longer  time.  •  These  declarations  are  true,  and  have 
been  oflen  proved,  and  can  be  again,  to  the  satisfaction 
of  every  candid  person,  at  the  hazard  of  any  forfeiture 
the  faculty  may  challenge. 

Notwithstanding  all  these  things,  how  true  are  the 

words  of  the  intelligent  Dr.  Hervey,  who  says,  "By  what 

unaccountable  perversity  in  our  frame  does  it  appear, 

that  we  set  ourselves  so  much  against  any  thing  that  ia 

.    8       '  ■ 


14 


4JVW0  Chnde  to  Heallh; 


new?  Can  any  one  behold,  without  scorn,  such  droncf 
of  physicians,  and  after  the  space  of  so  many  hundred 
years'  experience  and  practice  of  their  pradecessors,  not 
mie  single  medicine  has  been  detected,  that  has  the  least 
force  directly  to  prevent,  to  oppose,  and  expel  a  continu- 
ed fever?  Should  any,  by  a  more  sedulous  observation, 
pretend  to  make  the  least  step  towards  the  discovery  of  • 
such  remedies,  their  hatred  and  envy  would  swell  against 
him,  as  a  legion  of  devils  against  virtue;  the  whole 
society  will  dart  their  malice  at  him,  and  torture  htm 
with  all  the  calumnies  imaginable,  without  sticking  at 
any  thing  that  should  destroy  him  root  and  branch.  For 
he  who  professes  to  be  a  reformer  of  the  art  of  physic, 
must  resolve  to  run  the  hazard  of  the  martyrdom  of  his 
reputation,  life  and  estate." 

The  treatment  which  the  writer  has  received  from 
some  of  the  learned  physicians,  since  his  discovery  of 
the  remedy  for  the  fever,  and  various  other  diseases,  is 
a  proof  of  th^  truth  of  this  last  saying  of  Dr.  Hervey. 
They  have  imprisoned  him,  and  charged  him  with  every 
thing  cruel  and  unjust ;  though  upon  a  fair  trial,  their 
violent  dealings  have  come  down  upon  their  heads;  while 
he  has  not  only  been  proved  innocent  before  the  court, 
but  useful',  having  relieved  many  which  the  other 
I^ysicians  had  given  over  to  die. 

I  will  now  take  notice  of  the  yellow  fever.    The  cause 
of  this  fatal  disease  is  similar  to  spotted  fever.     The 
cause  of  death  in  the  latter,  is  in  consequence  of  its 
producing  a  balance  by  cold,  outward  and  inward ;  and 
in  the  former  there  is  a  balance  of  heat  outward  and  in- 
ward; both  produce  the  same  thing,  that  is  a  total  cessa- 
tion of  motion,  which  is  death.  .  The  color  of  the  skin 
has  given  name  to  both  these  diseases.    The  yellow  is 
caused  by  the  obstruction  of  the  gall;  instead  of  being 
discharged  through  its  proper  vessels,  it  is  forced  and 
diffused  through  the  pores  of  the  skin.    The  same  ef- 
fects that  are  produced  by  these  two  fevers  may  be  oh* 
served  in  the  motion  of  the  sea;  when  the  tide  is  done 
running  up,  there  is  what  is  called  slack  water,  or  a 
balance  of  power,  and  the  same  thing  takes  place  when 
it  is  done  running  down;  when  the  fountain  is  raised, 
the  water  runs  fr<mi  it;  but  when  it  is  lowered  the  water 


or.  Botanic  FdmUy  Phyncian, 


16 


i  droficf 
hundred 
Bore,  not 
the  least 
continu- 
ervation, 
overy  of  • 
1  against 
e   whole 
ture  him 
eking  at 
ch.     For 
f  physio, 
m  of  his 

ed  from 
jovery  of 
seases,  is 

Hervey. 
ith  ever^ 
ial,  their 
^g;  while 

e  court, 
ne   other 


he  cause 
er.  The 
ice  of  its 
rard;  and 
d  and  in* 
tal  cessa- 

the  skin 
yellow  is 

of  beinff 
irced  and 

same  ef- 

y  be  ob- 
e  is  done 
ter,  or  a 
ace  when 
is  raised, 
the  water 


runs  towards  it.  The  same  cause  produces  the  same 
effects  in  the  spotted  and  yellow  fevers;  for  when  a 
balance  of  power  between  the  outward  and  inward  heat 
takes  place,  death  follows. 

Having  described  the  two  kinds  of  fever  which  are 
the  most  alarming,  they  being  most  fatal,  I  shall  pass 
over  those  of  a  less  alarming  nature,  and  merely  observe, 
that  there  is  no  other  difference  in  all  cases  of  fever,  than 
what  it  caused  by  the  different  degrees  of  cold,  or  loss 
of  inward  heat,  which  are  two  adverse  parties  in  one 
body,  contending  for  power.  If  the  heat  gains  the  vic- 
tory, the  cold  will  be  disinherited,  and  heaUb  will  be  re- 
stored; but  on  the  other  hand,  if  cold  gains  the  ascen- 
dancy, heat  will  be  dispossessed  of  its  empire,  and  death 
will  follow  of  course.  As  soon  as  life  ceases,  the  body 
becomes  cold,  which  is  conclusive  evidence  that  its  gain- 
ing the  victory  is  the  cause  of  death.  When  the  power 
of  cold  is  nearly  equal  to  that  of  heat,  the  fever  or  strife 
between  the  two  parties,  may  continue  for  a  longer  or 
shorter  time,  according  to  circumstances;  this  is  what  is 
called  a  long  fever,  or  fever  and  ague.  The  battle  be- 
tween cold  and  hejtt  will  take  place  periodically,  some 
times  every  day,  at  other  times,  every  other  day,  and 
they  will  leave  off  about  equal,  heat  keeping  a  little  the 
upper  hand.  In  attempting  to  cure  a  case  of  this  kind, 
we  miist  consider  whether  the  fever  is  a  friend  or  an 
enemy;  if  it  is  a  friend,  which  I  hold  to  be  the  fact, 
when  the  fever  fit  is  on,  increase  the  power  of  heat,  in 
order  to  drive  off  the  cold,  and  life  will  bear  the  rule; 
but,  on  the  contrary,  should  cold  be  considered  a  friend, 
when  the  cold  fit  is  on,  by  increasing  its  power,  you 
drive  off  the  heat,  and  death  must  ensue.  Thus  you 
mav  promote  life  or  death  by  tempering  cold  and  heat. 

Much  has  been  said  by  the  doctors  concerning  the 
turn  of  a  fever,  and  how  long  a  time  it  will  run.  When 
it  is  said  that  a  fever  will  turn  at  such  a  time,  I  presume 
it  must  mean  that  it  has  been  gone ;  this  is  true,  for  it  is 
then  gone  on  the  outside,  and  is  trying  to  turn  again  and 

So  inside,  where  it  belongs.  Instead  of  following  the 
ictates  of  nature  and  aiding  it  to  subdue  the  cold,  the 
doctor  uses  all  his  skill  to  kill  the  fever.  How,  I  would 
ask,  in  the  name  of  common  sense,  can  any  thing  turn 


16 


A«i0  Qmde  io  BeaUh; 


when  killed?  Support  the  fever  and  it  will  return  in- 
side;  the  cold,  which  is  the  cause  of  disease,  will  be 
driven  out,  and  health  will  be  restored.  In  all  cases 
called  fever,  the  cause  is  the  same  in  a  greater  or  less  de- 
gree, and  may  be  relieved  by  one  general  remedy.  The 
cold  causes  canher,  and  before  the  canker  is  seated,  the 
strife  will  take  place  between  cold  and  heat;  and  while 
the  hot  flashes  and  cold  chills  remain,  it  is  evidence  that 
the  canker  is  not  settled,  and  the  hot  medicine  alone,  oc- 
casionally assisted  by  steam,  will  throw  it  off;  but  as  the 
contest  ceases,  the  heat  is  steady  on  the  outside ;  then 
canker  assumes  the  power  inside ;  this  is  called  a  settled 
fever.  The  truth  is,  the  canker  is  fixed  on  the  inside 
and  will  ripen  and  come  off  in  a  short  time,  if  the  fever 
ia  kept  up  so  as  to  overpower  the  cold.  This  idea  is  new 
and  never  was  known  till  my  discovery.  By  raising  the 
fever  with  Nos.  1  and  2,  and  taking  off  the  canker  with 
No.  3,  and  the  same  given  by  injections,  we  may  turn  a 
fever  when  we  please;  but  il  this  is  not  understood,  the 
canker  will  ripen  and  come  off  itself,  when  the  fever  will 
turn  and  go  inside  and  the  cold  will  be  driven  out;  there^ 
fore  they  will  do  much  better  without  any  aid,  than  with 
a  doctor.  The  higher  the  fever  runs,  the  sooner  the  cold 
will  be  subdued;  and  if  you  contend  against  the  heat, 
the  longer  will  be  the  run  of  the  fever,  and  when  killed, 
death  follows. 

When  a  patient  is  bled,  it  lessens  the  heat  and  gives 
double  power  to  the  cold ;  like  taking  out  of  one  side  of 
the  scale,  and  putting  it  in  the  other,  which  doubles  the 
weight,  and  turns  the  scale  in  favor  of  the  disease.  By 
giving  opium  it  deadens  the  feelings;  the  small  doses  of 
nitre  and  calomel  tend  to  destroy  what  heat  remains,  and 
plants  new  crops  of  canker,  which  will  stand  in  different 
stages  in  the  body,  the  same  as  corn  planted  in  the  field 
every  week,  will  keep  some  in  all  stages;  so  is  the  dif* 
ferent  degrees  in  canker.  This  is  the  reason  why  there 
are  so  many  different  fevers  as  are  named ;  when  one  fever 
turns  another  sets  in  and  so  continues  one  after  another  ui>- 
til  the  harvest  is  all  ripe,  if  the  season  is  long  enough;  if 
not,  the  cold  and  frost  takes  them  ofl^ — ^then  it  is  said  they 
died  of  a  fever.  It  might  with  as  much  propriety  be  said 
that  the  corn  killed  with  frost,  died  with  the  heat.    The 

/   ^  -       .  .  '  ' 


P 
v 

fi 

a 
c 

t( 

si 
a 


a 

n 
c 
c 
ai 
w 
tl 
li 
oi 
in 
w 
el 
fc 


or,  Botame  Family  Physician. 


^ 


IT 


sturn  inn 
,  will  be 
all  cases 
r  less  de- 
Jy.    The 
ated,  the 
nd  while 
ence  that 
Llone,  oc- 
)ot  as  the 
ide;  then 
a  settled 
he  inside 
the  fever 
ea  is  new 
aising  the 
aker  with 
lay  turn  a 
stood,  the 
fever  will 
ut;  there^ 
than  with 
r  the  cold 
the  heat, 
en  killed, 

ind  gives 
ne  side  of 
uhles  the 
ase.     By 

doses  of 
lains,  and 

different 

the  field 
)  the  dif- 
vhy  there 
one  fever 
fiother  u»- 
noufih;  if 

said  they 
ty  be  said 
jat.    The 


question,  whether  the  heat  or  cold  killed  the  patient,  is 
easily  decided,  for  that  power  which  bears  rule  in  the 
body  after  death  is  what  killed  the  patient,  which  is  cold; 
as  much  as  that  which  bears  rule  when  he  is  alive  is  heat. 
When  a  person  is  taken  sick,  it  is  common  to  say  I  have 
got  a  cold,  and  am  afraid  1  am  going  to  have  a  fever; 
but  Ui)  fears  are  expressed  of  the  cold  he  has  taken;  nei* 
ther  is  it  mentioned  when  the  cold  lef^  him.  The  fash- 
ionable practice  is  to  6ght  the  remains  of  heat  till  the  pa- 
tient dies,  by  giving  cold  the  victory;  in  which  case  is  it 
not  a  fact  that  the  doctor  assists  the  cold  to  kill  the  pa- 
tient ?  Would  it  not  have  been  more  reasonable,  or  likely 
to  have  cured  them,  when  the  fever  arose  to  throw  off 
the  cold,  to  have  helped  the  fever  and  give  nature  the 
victory  over  its  enemy,  when  the  health  would  be  restored 
the  same  as  before  they  took  the  cold? 

We  frequently  see  in  the  newspapers  accounts  of  peo- 
ple dying  in  C3n3equence  of  drinking  cold  water  when 
very  warm,  Sdme  fall  dead  instantly,  and  others  linger 
for  several  hours;  the  doctors  have  not  been  able  to  afford 
any  relief  when  called.  The  principal  symptoms  are 
chills,  aid  shivering  with  cold,  which  is  viewed  with  as- 
tonishment by  those  who  witness  it.  Proper  caution 
should  always  be  observed  by  persons  when  very  warm 
and  thirsty,  who  go  to  a  pump  to  drink,  by  swallowing 
a  little  at  a  time,  which  will  prevent  any  fatal  effects. 

Thi<4  strange  circumstance  of  being  cold  on  a  hot  day, 
and  which  has  never  been  accounted  for  in  a  satisfactory 
manner  to  the  public,  I  shall  endeavor  to  explain  in  as 
comprehensive  and  plain  language  as  I  am  capable.  The 
comprtnent  parts  of  animal  bodies  are  earth  and  water, 
and  life  and  m  )tion  are  caused  bv  fire  and  air.  The  in- 
ward  heat  is  the  fountain  of  life,  and  as  much  as  that  has 
the  po.wer  above  the  outward  heat,  so  much  we  have  of 
life  and  strength,  and  when  we  lose  this  power  of  heat, 
our  strength  and  faculties  decay  in  proportion;  and  it  is 
immaterial  whether  we  lose  this  power  by  losing  the  in- 
ward heat  or  raising  the  outward  heat  above  it,  as  the 
effect  is  the  same.  If  you  raise  the  stream  level  with  thft 
fountain,  it  stops  the  current,  and  all  motion  will  cease, 


2* 


'y 


18 


J>rew  Guide  h  HeaWi; 


and  the  same  efiects  will  follow  by  lowering  the  fountain 
to  a  level  with  the  stream.  When  the  outward  heat  be- 
comes equal  with  the  inward,  either  by  the  one  being 
raised,  or  the  other  being  lowered,  cold  assumes  the 
power,  and  death  takes  place. 

The  cause  of  the  fatal  efr(^cts  by  drinking  cold  water, 
is  because  the  fountain  of  life  is  lost  by  the  stream  be- 
ing raised  above  the  fountain,  or  the  inward  heat  low- 
ered by  throwing  into  the  stomach  so  large  a  quantity  of 
cold  water  as  to  give  the  outward  heat  the  power  of  bal- 
ancing the  inward,  and  in  proportion  as  the  one  ap- 
proaches to  an  equality  with  the  other,  so  the  strength  ia 
diminished,  and  when  equal,  death  ensues. 

I  shall  now  make  some  further  remarks  on  this  and 
other  subjects,  with  a  hope  that  it  may  be  beneficial  to 
mankind.  The  reason  why  these  extraordinary  cases 
appear  so  wonderful  to  the  people,  is  because  they  are 
unacquainted  with  the  cause.  Why  should  we  wonder 
at'  a  person  being  cold  on  a  hot  day,  when  we  are  not, 
any  more  than  we  should  wonder  at  another  being  hun- 
gry, when  we  have  just  been  eating;  or  that  others 
can  be  in  pain,  when  we  are  enjoying  good  health? 
The  one  is  as  plain  and  simple  as  the  other,  when  un- 
derstood. The  want  of  inward  heat  is  the  cause  of  their 
being  cold,  just  as  much  as  the  want  of  food  is  the 
cause  of  hunger,  or  the  want  of  health  is  the  cause  of 
pain.  One  person  may  have  lost  the  natural  power  of 
heat,  by  an  effect  which  others  in  similar  situations  may 
not  have  experienced,  and  will  suffer  the  consequences 
of  cold  in  proportion  to  the  loss  of  inward  heat;  this  is 
manifest  in  the  different  degrees  of  sickness.  If  the 
inward  heat  loses  its  balance  of  power  suddenly,  death 
is  immediate;  which  is  the  case  in  spotted  fever,  and  in 
frowned  persons.  When  the  inward  and  outward  cold 
is  balanced,  life  ceases,  and  the  blood  being  stopped  in 
its  motion,  settles  in  spots,  which  appearance  has  given 
name  to  what  is '  called  spotted  fever.  The  same  ap- 
pearances take  place  on  drowned  persons,  and  from  the 
same  cause. 

The  practice  of  bleeding  for  the  purpose  of  curing 
disease,  I  consider  most  unnatural  and  injurious.  Na- 
ture never  furnishes  the  body  with  more  blood  than  is 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


19 


luntain 
eat  be- 
I  being 
les  the 

water» 
am  be- 
at low- 
intity  of 

of  bal- 
)ne  ap- 
ength  is 

his  and 
ficial  to 
y  cases 
hey  are 

wonder 
are  not, 
mg  hun- 
it  others 

health? 
rhen  un- 
B  of  their 
i  is  the 
cause  of 
power  of 
ions  may 
equences 
t;  this  is 
.     If  the 
ly,  death 
r,  and  in 
irard  cold 
topped  in 
nas  given 
same  ap- 

from  the 

of  curing 
ous.  Na- 
id  than  is 


necessary  for  the  maintenance  of  health;  to  take  away 
part  of  the  blood,  therefore,  is  taking  away  just  so  much 
of  the  life,  and  is  as  contrary  to  nature,  as  it  would  be 
to  cut  away  part  of  the  flesh.  JVI any  experiments  have 
been  tried  by  the  use  of  the  lancet  in  fevers;  but  I  be- 
lieve it  will  be  allowed  by  all,  that  most  of  them  have 
proved  fatal;  and  several  eminent  phj^si^ians  have  died 
m  consequence  of  trying  the  experiment  on  themselves. 
If  the  system  is  diseased,  the  blood  becomes  as  much 
diseased  as  any  other  part;  remove  the  cause  of  the  dis- 
order, and  the  blood  will  recover  and  become  healthy  as 
soon  as  any  other  part;  but  liow  taking  part^of  it  away 
can  help  to  cure  what  remains,  can  never  be  reconciled 
with  common  sense. 

There  is  no  practice  used  by  the  physicians  that  I 
consider  more  inconsistent  with  common  sense,  and  at 
the  same  time  more  inhuman  than  blistering,  to  remove 
disease ;  particularly  insane  persons,  or  what  the  doctors 
call  dropsy  on  the  brain ;  in  which  cases  they  shave  the 
head  and  draw  a  blister  on  it.  Very  few  patients,  if  any, 
ever  survive  this  application.  What  would  be  thought 
if  a  scald  should  be  caused  by  boiling  water  to  remove 
disease?  Yet  there  is  no  difference  between  this  and  a 
blister  made  by  flies.  I  have  witnessed  many  instances 
where  great  distress  and  very  bad  effects  have  been  caus- 
ed by  the  use  of  blisters;  and  believe  I  can  truly  si^ 
that  I  never  knew  any  benefit  derived  from  their  use.  It 
very  frequently  causes  strangury,  when  the  attempted 
remedy  becomes  much  worse  than  the  disease. 
,  In  support  of  my  opinions  on  the  subject,  I  will  give 
the  following  extract  from  the  writings  of  Dr.  Hillary, 
an  eminent  physician  of  London. 

"I  have  long  observed  that  blisters  are  t  oo  frequently, 
and  too  often  improperly  used,  as  they  are  now  so  much 
in  fashion.  It  is  very  probable,  that  we  have  no  one 
remedy,  in  all  the  Materia  Medica,  that  is  so  frequently, 
and  so  often  improperly  applied,  not  only  in  too  many 
cases,  where  they  cannot  possibly  give  any  relief,  but 
too  often  where  they  must  unavoidably  increase  the  very 
evil,  which  they  are  intended  to  remove  or  relieve.  How 
often  do  we  see  them  applied,  and  sometimes  several  of 
them,  by  pretended  dabblers  in  physic,  not  only  where 


.20 


Aei0  Guide  to  Health; 


there  are  no  indications  for  applying  them,  but  where 
the  true  indication  are  against  their  application;  as,  in 
the  beginning  of  most  fevers,  and  especially  those  of  the 
inflammatory,  and  of  the  putrid  kind,  where,  in  the  first, 
the  stimulus  of  the  acrid  salts  of  the  cantharides,  which 
pass  into  the  blood,  must  unavoidably  increase,  both  the 
stimulus,  and  th^  momentum  of  the  blood,  which  were 
too  great  before,  and  so  render  the  fever  inflammatory, 
and  all  its  symptoms  worse. 

'*  And  it  is  well  known  that  the  cantharide$  contain  a 
^reat  quantity  of  alkaline  semi-volatile  salts,  which  pass 
mto  the  blood,  though  they  are  applied  externally;  and 
attenuate,  dissolve,  and  hasten,  and  increase  its  putrefac- 
tion, which  is  also  confirmed  by  the  putrid  alkaline  acri- 
mony which  they  produce  in  the  urine,  with  the  heat  and 
strangury,  which  it  gives  to  the  urinary  passage." 


ON    STEAMING. 

Steaming  is  a  very  important  branch  of  my  system  of 
practice,  which  would  m  many  cases  without  it,  be  in- 
sufiicient  to  eflect  a  cure.  It  is  of  great  importance  in 
many  cases,  but  considered  by  the  medical  faculty  as 
desperate;  and  they  would  be  so  under  my  mode  of 
treatment,  if  it  was  not  for  this  manner  of  applying  heat 
to  the  body,  for  the  purpose  of  reanimating  the  system 
and  aiding  nature  in  restoring  health.  I  had  but  littl« 
knowledge  of  medicine,  when  through  necessity,  I  dis- 
covered the  use  of  steaming,  to  add  heat  or  life  to  the 
decaying  spark;  and  with  it  I  was  enabled,  by  adminis* 
tering  such  vegetable  preparations  as  I  then  had  a  knowl- 
edge of,  to  effect  a  cure  in  cases  where  the  regular  prac- 
titioners had  given  them  over. 

In  all  cases  where  the  heat  of  the  body  is  so  far  ex- 
hausted as  not  to  be  rekindled  by  using  the  medicino 
and  being  shielded  from  the  surrounding  air  by  a  blanket, 
or  being  in  bed,  and  chills  or  stupor  attend  the  patient, 
then  applied  heat  by  steaming,  becomes  indispensably 
necessary;  and  heat  caused  by  steam  in  the  manner 
that  I  use  it,  is  more  natural  in  producing  perspiration, 


e: 


or^  Botamc  Family  Phyiician. 


%\ 


lit  where 
n;  as,  in 
)fc  of  the 
the  first, 
!««,  which 
,  both  the 
lich  were 
mmatory, 

contain  a 
/hich  pass 
laily^  and 
I  putrefac- 
aline  acri- 
e  heat  and 


system  of 
It  it,  be  in- 
lortaoce  in 

faculty  as 
y  mode  of 
plying  heat 

he  system 
d  but  little 
jsity,  I  dis- 

life  to  the 
)y  adminia- 
id  a  knowl- 
gular  prac- 

s  so  far  eX)- 
e  medicine 
Y  a  blanket, 
he  patient, 
dispensably 
he  manner 
lerspiration, 


than  any  dry  heat  that  can  be  applied  to  the  body  in 
any  other  manner,  which  will  only  serve  to  dry  the  air 
and  prevent  perspiration  in  many  cases  of  disease,  where 
a  ateam  by  water  or  vinegar  would  promote  it  and  add  a 
natural  warmth  to  the  body,  and  thereby  increase  the 
Hfa  nnd  motion,  which  has  lain  silent  in  consequence  of 
the  cold. 

Dr.  Jennings  has  contrived  a  plan  to  apply  heat  to  the 
body  by  a  dry  vapor,  caused  by  burning  spirit,  which 
he  calls  a  vapor  bath,  the  idea  of  which  was,  I  have  no 
doubt,  taken  from  hearing  of  my  steaming  to  raise  the 
heat  of  the  body.  It  may  answer  in  some  cases  and 
atages  nf  disease ;  but  in  a  settled  fever  and  other  cases 
where  there  is  a  dry  inflammation  on  the  surface  of  the 
body,  it  will  not  answer  any  good  purpose,  and  I  think 
would  be  dangerous  without  the  use  of  my  medicine  to 
Arit  raise  a  free  perspiration ;  for  when  the  surface  of  the 
body  is  dry,  the  patient  cannot  bear  it,  as  it  will  crowd 
to  the  head  and  cause  distress,  the  same  as  is  produced 
by  burning  charcoal,  or  from  hot  stoves  in  a  tight  room, 
and  will  bring  on  a  difliculty  in  breathmg,  which  is  not 
the  case  in  steaming  in  my  way.  This  machine  can  on- 
ly be  used  in  bed,  where  the  vapor  cannot  be  applied  to 
the  body  equally  at  the  same  time,  therefore  is  no  better 
than  a  hot,  dry  stone,  put  on  each  side  and  to  the  feet  of 
the  patient,  for  he  can  turn  himself  and  get  heat  from 
them  as  well  as  to  have  all  the  trouble  of  burning  spirit 
and  turning  to  the  vapor  of  it,  to  get  warm  by  this  dry 
heat.  When  the  patient  stands  over  a  steam  raised  by 
putting  a  hot  stone  in  water,  which  gives  a  more  equal  ' 
neat  all  over  the  body  than  cuxx  be  done  in  any  other 
manner,  it  can  be  raised  higher,  and  may  be  tempered 
at  pleasure,  by  wetting  the  lace  and  stomach  with  cold 
water  as  occasion  requires. 

The  method  adopted  by  me,  and  which  has  always 
answered  the  desired  object,  is  as  follows:  Take  several 
atones  of  different  sizes  and  put  them  in  the  fire  till  red 
hot,  then  take  the  smallest  first,  and  put  one  of  them  into 
a  pan  or  kettle  of  hot  water,  with  the  stonp  about  half 
immersed;  the  patient  must  be  undressed  and  a  blanket 
put  around  him  so  as  to  shield  his  whole  body  from  the 
Air,  and  then  place  him  over  the  steam.    Change  the 


I 


11 


h  t 


1 


II 

I  i 

p 

I I  v 


It  JTew  Guide  to  HeaUh; 

■tones  as  often  aa  they  grow  cool,  so  as  to  keep  up  a 
lively  steam,  and  keep  tnem  over  it;  if  they  are  faint, 
throw  a  little  cold  water  on  the  face  and  stomach,  which 
will  let  down  the  outward  heat  and  restore  the  strength; 
after  they  heve  been  over  the  steam  long  enough,  which 
will  generally  be  about  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  they 
must  be  washed  all  over  with  cold  water  or  spirit,  and 
be  put  in  bed,  or  may  be  dressed,  as  the  circumstances 
of  the  case  shall  permit.  Before  they  are  placed  over 
the  steam,  give  a  dose  of  No.  2  and  3,  or  composition,  to 
raise  the  inward  heat.  When  the  patient  is  too  weak  to 
stand  over  the  steam,  it  may  be  done  in  bed,  by  heating 
three  stones,  and  put  them  m  water  till  done  hissing,  then 
wrap  them  in  a  number  of  thicknesses  of  cloths  wet  with 
water,  and  put  one  on  each  side  and  one  at  the  feet,  oc- 
casionally wetting  the  face  and  stomach  with  cold  water, 
when  faint. 

Many  other  plans  may  be  contrived  in  steaming,  which 
would  make  less  trouble  and  be  more  agreeable  to  the 
patient,  especially  where  they  are  unable  to  stand  over 
the  steam.  An  open  worked  chair  may  b^  made,  in 
which  they  might  sit  and  be  steamed  very  conveniently ; 
or  a  settee  might  be  made  in  the  same  manner,  in  which 
they  might  be  laid  and  covered  with  blankets  so  as  to 
shield  them  from  the  surrounding  ai**.  Such  contrivances 
as  these  would  be  very  convenient  in  cases  where  the 
patient  would  have  to  be  carried  through  a  course  of 
medicine,  and  steamed  a  number  of  times,  as  is  frequent- 
ly necessary,  particularly  in  complaints  that  have  been 
of  long  standing. 

As  I  have  frequently  mentioned  a  regular  course  of 
medicine,  I  will  here  state  what  is  meant  by  it,  and  th« 
most  proper  way  in  which  it  is  performed.  Firstly,  give 
No.  2  and  3,  or  composition,  adding  a  tea  spoonful  of 
No.  6;  then  steam,  and  when  in  bed  repeat  it,  adding 
No.  1 ,  which  will  cleanse  the  stomach  and  assist  in  keep- 
ing up  a  perspiration;  when  this  has  done  operating,  give 
an  injection  made  with  the  same  articles.  Where  there 
are  symptoms  of  nervous -affection,  or  spasitis,  put  half  a 
tea  spoonful  of  the  nerve  powder  into  each  dose  given, 
and  into  the  injection.  In  violent  cases,  where  imme- ' 
diate  relief  is  needed,  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  and  6,  maybe  given 


or,  Baiame  Family  Phgndan. 


33 


(eep  up  « 

are  faint, 
ich,  which 
I  strength; 
igh,  which 
lutea,  they 
spirit,  and 
jumstances 
laced  over 
ipoiition,  to 
too  weak  to 

by  heating 
tissing,  then 
ha  wet  with 
the  feet,  oc- 
i  cold  water, 

iming,  which 
jeable  to  the 

0  stand  over 
b9  made,  in 
onveniently ; 
jer,  in  which 
Lets  so  as  to 
contrivances 
is  where  the 

1  a  course  of 
9  is  frequent- 
It  have  been 

ar  course  of 
)y  it,  and  the 
Firstly,  give 
i  spoonful  of 
^at  it,  adding 
assist  in  keep- 
perating,  give 
Where  there 
itis,  puthalfa 
h  dose  given, 
nvhere  imme- 
may  be  given 


together.  Injections  may  be  administered  at  all  timea, 
and  in  all  cases  of  disease  to  advantage ;  it  can  never  do 
harm,  and  in  many  cases,  they  are  Indispensably  neces- 
sary, especially  where  there  is  canker  and  inflammation 
ia  the  bowels,  and  there  is  danger  of  mortification,  in 
which  case,  add  a  tea  spoonful  of  No.  6.  In  cases  of 
this  kind,  the  injection  should  be  given  first,  or  at  the 
same  time  of  giving  the  composition  or  No.  3. 

The  use  of  steaming  is  good  in  preventing  sickness, 
as  well  as  curing  it.  When  a  person  has  been  exposed 
to  the  cold,  and  is  threatened  with  disease,  it  may  be 
prevented,  and  long  sickness  and  expense  saved  by  a 
very  little  trouble,  by  standing  over  a  steam  and  follow- 
ing the  directions  before  given,  till  the  cold  is  thorough- 
ly thrown  off,  and  a  lively  perspiration  takes  place;  then 
^o  to  bed,  taking  the  stone  from  the  kettle,  and  wrap 
It  in  wet  cloths,  and  put  it  to  the  feet.  This  may  be 
done  without  the  medicine,  when  it  cannot  be  had ;  but 
is  much  better  to  take  something  to  raise  the  inward 
heat  at  the  same  time.  A  tea  made  of  mayweed  or 
summer-savory,  or  finger  and  hot  water  sweetened,  ma^ 
be  given,  or  any  thin^  that  is  warming.  This  advice  la 
for  the  poor,  and  those  who  have  not  a  knowledge  of  the 
medicine ;  and  will  many  times  save  them  much  trouble 
and  long  sickness. 

Steaming  is  of  the  utmost  importance  in  cases  of  sus- 
pended animation,  such  as  drowned  persoqs;  in  which 
ca8a||»lace  the  body  over  a  moderate  steam,  shielded  by 
a  blanicet,  from  the  weight  of  the  external  air,  and  ran-  . 
fying  the  air  immediately  arbund  them  with  the  steam.^ 
Pour  into  the  mouth  some  of  the  tincture  of  Nos.  1,  2, 
and  6 ;  and  if  there  is  any  internal  heat  remains,  there 
will  be  muscular  motion  about  the  eyes,  and  in  the  ex- 
tremities'. If  this  symptom  appears,  repeat  the  dose 
several  times,  and  renew  the  hot  stones,  raising  the  heat 
by  degrees;  if  the  outward  heat  is  raised  too  sudden,  so 
as  to  balance  the  inward,  you  will  fail  of  the  desired  ob- 
ject, even  after  life  appears.  This  is  the  only  danger  of 
any  difficulty  taking  place;  always  bear  in  mind  to  keep 
the  fountain  above  the  stream,  or  the  inward  heat  above 
the  outward,  and  all  will  be  safe.  Aflier  life  19  restored, 
put  them  in  bed  and  keep  the  perspiration  firee  for  twelve 


1  ■ 


•r.i-^r: 


f 


w 


34 


JVew  Gtdde  to  Health; 


houri,  by  hot  stones  wrapped  in  cloths  wet  with  water, 
■nd  occasionally  giving  the  tincture  as  before  mentioned, 
when  the  coldness  and  obEtructions  are  thrown  off,  and 
the  patient  will  be  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  natural 
■trongth.  Beware  of  bleeding,  or  blowing  in  the  mouth 
with  a  bellows,  as  either  will  generally  prove  fatal. 

In  many  cases  of  spotted  fever,  steaming  is  as  neces- 

•ary  ai  in  drowned  persons;  such  as  when  they  fall  ap- 

larently  dead ;  then  the  same  treatment  is  necessary  to 

ighten  the  surrounding  air  till  you  can  raise  the  inward 

Mat  10  as  to  get  the  determining  power  to  the  surface. 

Begin  with  a  small  stone,  and  a9vlife  gains,  increase  the 

■team  as  the  patient  can  bear  it ;  if  the  distress  is  gr$at, 

{tive  more  hot  medicine  inside,  and  as  soon  as  an  equi- 
ibrium  takes  place,  the  pain  will  cease.  In  all  cases  of 
this  kind,  the  difficulty  cannot  be  removed  without  appli- 
ed heat  to  the  body,  and  is  more  natural  by  steam  than 
by  any  other  means  that  can  be  made  use  of.  In  cases 
or  long  standing,  where  the  patient  has  been  run  down 
with  mercury,  and  left  in  a  cold  and  obstructed  state, 
liable  to  rheumatism  and  other  similar  complaints,  they 
cannot  be  cured  with  medicine  without  applied  heat  by 
■team,  as  nothing  will  remove  mercury  but  heat. 

When  a  patient  is  carried  throueh  a  course  of  my  med- 
icine and  steamed,  who  has  been  long  under  mercurial 
treatment;  and  while  under  the  operation  of  the  steam, 
when  the  heat  is  at  the  highest,  the  face  will  swell,  in 
consequence  of  the  poisonous  vapor  being  condena|tt^  by 
the  air,  the  face  bemg  open  to  it.  To  relieve  thii^put 
them  in  bed,  and  take  a  hot  stone  wrapped  in  several 
thicknesses  of  cloth  wet  with  water,  pouring  on  a  little 
vinegar,  and  making  a  lively  steam;  put  it  in  the  bed 
and  cover  the  head  with  the  clothes  and  let  them  breathe 
the  fteam  as  hot  as  can  be  borne,  until  the  sweat  covers 
the  swelled  part.  This  will,  in  about  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes,  throw  out  the  poison,  and  the  swelling  will  abate. 
This  method  also  is  of  great  service  in  agues  and  teeth- 
ache  caused  by  cold;  and  many  other  cases  of  obstruc- 
tion from  the  same  cause,  especially  yobng  children 
■tuffed  on  the  lungs. 

To  steam  small  children,  the  best  way  is  to  let  them 
■U  in  the  lap  of  a  person,  covering  both  with  a  blanket 


til 

d[ 


k^ 


■  * 


or,  Botamc  FamUy  Phyndan. 


26 


and  let  over  tho  stoam,  pouring  a  littlo  vinegar  on  the 
stone ;  or  it  may  be  done  in  bed  with  a  hot  stone,  wrap- 
ped in  clothti  wet  with  water,  putting  on  a  little  vinegar  > 
and  covering  them  with  the  bed  clothes  laid  loosely  over 
them;  but  in  thii  way  you  cannot  exercise  so  good  judg- 
ment in  tempering  the  ste^m,  as  when  you  are  steamed 
with  them.  If  the  child  appears  languid  and  faint,  the 
outward  heat  it  high  enough;  put  a  little  cold  water  on 
the  face  or  breast,  which  will  restore  the  strength,  then 
rub  them  in  a  cloth  wet  with  vinegar,  spirit  or  cold  water, 
put  on  clean  clothes,  and  put  them  in  bed,  or  let  them 
sit  up  as  their  itrcngth  will  permit.  This  is  safe  in  all 
cases  of  cold  and  obstructed  perspiration.  It  ought  al- 
ways to  be  borne  strongly  in  mind,  to  give  a  child  drink 
often,  when  under  the  operation  of  medicine,  or  while 
steaming ;  if  this  is  not  done,  they  will  suffer  much,  as 
they  cannot  ask  for  it. 

In  all  cases  of  falls  or  bruises,  steaming  is  almost  in- 
fallible; and  is  much  better  than  bleeding,  as  is  the 
common  practice,  which  only  tends  to  destroy  life  in- 
stead of  promoting  it.  If  the  person  is  not  able  to 
stand  over  the  steam,  it  must  be  done  in  bed,  as  has  been 
described.  Give  the  hottest  medicine  inside  that  you 
have,  and  keep  the  perspiration  free  till  the  pain  and 
soreness  abates,  and  the  strength  will  be  soon  restored. 
If  the  advantages  of  this  mode  of  treatment  was  gener- 
ally known,  heeding  in  such  cases,  or  any  other,  to 
remove  disease,  woiHd  never  be  resorted  to  by  the  wise 
and  prudent. 

The  use  of  steaming  i»  to  apply  heat  to  the  body 
where  it  is  deftcient,  and  clear  off*  obstructions  caused 
by  cold,  which  the  operation  of  the  medicine  will  not 
raise  heat  enough  to  do;  for  as  the  natural  heat  of  the 
body  becomes  tlierebv  lower  than  the  natural  state  of 
health,  it  must  by  art  be  raised  as  much  above  as  it  has 
been  below;  and  this  must  be  repeated  until  the  diges- 
tive powers  are  restored,  sufficient  to  hold  the  heat  by 
digesting  the  food,  then  the  health  of  the  patient  will  be 
restored  by  eating  and  drinking  such  things  as  the  appe? 
tite' shall  require.  In  this  way  the  medicine  removes 
disease,  and  food,  by  being  properly  digested,  supports 
nature  and  continue!  that  heat  on  which  life  depenos. 
3 


■mr- 


26 


Aisto  Ouide  to  HeaUhs 


Some  who  practise  according  to  my  ay  stein,  boast  of 
carrying  their  patients  through  in  a  shorter  time  without 
the  trouble  of  steaming;  this  is  easily  accounted  for; 
steaming  is  the  most  laborious  part  of  the  practice  for 
those  who  attend  upon  the  sick,  and  the  most  useful  to 
the  patient;  as  one  operatioD  of  steaming  will  be  more 
effectual  in  removing  disease,  than  four  courses  without 
it;  and  to  omit  it  is  throwing  the  labor  upon  the  pa- 
tient, with  the  expense  of  three  or  four  operations  more 
of  the  medicine,  than  would  be  needed,  did  the  person 
who  attends  do  his  duty  faithfully. 


I 


ON  OIVINO  FOISON  AS  MEDICINE. 


The  practice  of  giving  poison  as  medicine,  which  is 
80  common  among  the  medical  faculty  at  the  present 
day,  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  public;  and  is  a 
subject  that  I  wish  to  bring  home  to  the  serious  con- 
sideration of  the  whole  body  of  the  people  of  this  coun- 
try, and  enforce  in  the  strongest  manner  on  their  minds, 
the  pernicious  consequences  that  have  happened,  and  are 
daily  taking  place  by  reason  of  giving  mercury,  arsenic, 
nitre,  opium  and  other  deadly  poisons  to  cure  disease.     It 
is  admitted  by  those  who  make  use  of  these  things,,  that 
the  introducing  them  into  the  system  is  very  dangerous, 
and  that  they  often  prove  fatal.     During  thirty  years  prac- 
tice, I  have  had  opportunity  to  gain  much  experience  on 
this  subject,  and  am  ready  to  declare  that  I  am  perfectly 
and  decidedly  convinced,  beyond  all  doubt,  that  there 
can  be  no  possible  good  derived  from  using  in  any  man- 
ner or  form  whatever,  those  poisons;  but  on  the  other 
hand,  there  is  a  great  deal  of  hurt  done.    More  than 
nine-tenths  of  the  cnronicca*ies  that  have  come  under  my 
care,  have  been  such  as  had  been  run  down  with  some 
one  or  the  whole  of  the  above  named  medical  poisons; 
9Bd  the  greatest  difficulty  I  have  had  to  encounter  in  re- 
moving the  complaints  which  my  patients  labored  under, 
has  been  to  clear  the  system  of  mercury,  nitre;  or  opium, 
and  bring  them  back  to  the  same  state  they  were  in  be- 
fore taking  them.    It  is  a  very  easy  thing  to  get  them 
into  the  system,  but  very  hard  to  get  them  out  again. 


boast  of 
without 
ited  for; 
ctice  for 
iseful  to 
be  more 
without 
I  he  pa- 
ns more 
i  person 


i 


which  is 
;  present 
and  is  a  ~ 
lous  con- 
lis  coun- 
ir  minds, 
1,  and  are 
,  arsenic, 
ease.     It 
ngs,.  that 
mgerous, 
jars  prac- 
rience  on 
perfectly 
hat  there 
any  man- 
the  other 
ilore  than 
under  my 
ivith  some 
1  poisons; 
nter  in  re- 
red  under, 
or  opium, 
ere  in  be- 
get them 
again.  ^ 


:<';^ 


27 


^^    or,  Botmn^  Family  Phytidani 

.    ^Thftse  who  mak«  user^of  these  things  as  medicfhe, 

^  seem'  to  cloak  the  adpinistering  them  under  the  specious 
pretence  of  groiat  skill  and  art  in  preparing  and  using 

'  them;  but  this  kind  of  covering  will  not  blind  the  peo- 
ple, if  (hey  would  examine  it  and  think  for  themselves, 
instead  of  believing  that  every  thing  said  or  done  by  a 

niearned  man  must  be  right ;  for  poison  given  to  the  sick 
by  a  person  of  the  greatest  skill,  will  have  ^exactly  the 
same  effect  as  it  would  if  given  by  a  fool.  The  fact  is, 
the  operation  of  it  is  diametrically  oppo|^d  to  nature, 
and  every  particle  of  it,  that  is  taken  into  the  system, 
will  strengthen  the  power  of  the  enemy  to  health. 

If  there  should  be  doubts  in  the  minds  of  any  one  of 
the  truth  of  what  I  have  said  concerning  the  articles  I 
have  named  being  poisonous  and  destructive  to  the  con- 
stitution and  health  of  man,  I  will  refer  them  to  the 
works  published  by  those  who  recommend  their  use; 
where  they  will  find  evidence  enough  to  satisfy  the  most 
credulous,  of  the  dangerous  consequences  and  fatal  ei^ 
fects,  of  giving  them  as  medicine.  To  remove  all  doubtf 
of  their  being  poison  I  will  make  a  few  extracts  from 
standard  medical  works,  as  the  best  testimony  that  can 
be  given  in  the  case. 

"Jtf«»na<e  a/'  Mercury,  is  one  of  the  most  violent  poi- 
sons with  which  we  are  acquainted.  Externally  it  acts 
as  an  escharotic  or  a  caustic;  and  in' solution,  it  is  used 
for  destroying  fungous  flesh,  and  for  req^oving  hcpetic 
eruptions;  but  even  externally,  it  must  be  used  with 
very  great  caution."  Yet,  reader,  this  active  poison  is 
used  as  medicine,  and  by  being  prepared  in  a  different 
form,  and  a  new  name  given  it,  Calomel,  its  good  qual- 
ities are  said  to  be  invaluable,  and  is  a  certain  cure  for 
almost  every  disease. 

*'0.vyd  of  .Arsenic,  is  one  of  the  thost  sudden  and  vio- 
lent poisons  we  are  acquainted  with.  In  mines,  it  causes 
the  destruction  of  numbers  of  those  who  explore  them: 
and  it  is  frequently  the  instrument  by  which  victims  are 
sacrificed,  either  by  the  hand  of  wickedness  or  impru- 
dence. The  fumes  of  Arsenic  are  so  deleterious  to  the 
lungs,  that  the  artist  ought  to  be  on  his  guard  to  prevent 
their  jexhal  at  ion  by  the  mopth;  for  if  they  be  mixed  and 
swallowed  with  the  saliva,  effects  will  take  place  similar 


^. 


.^>.-.^^   *?¥, 


1^  10  £p^p^     ^• 

tot  those  which  follow  its  intrNuction  into  the  st^aeli  , 
Htf.  a  diUine  state,  namely,  a  senagtion  of  a  piercings 
gnawing,  and  burn|iig  kind,  accompani^  with  an  acute 
patip  in  the  ftomach  and  intestines,  which  last  are  vio- 
WBtly  contorted;  #onvulsive  vomiting;  insatiable  thirst, 
from  the  parched  and  rough  state  of  the  tongue  and  throat' 
hiccough,  palpitation  of  the  heart  and  a  deadly  oppres-  ^ 
sion  of  the  whole  breast,  succeed  next ;  the  matter  eject- 
ed by  the  mouth,  as  well  as  the  stools,  exhibit  a  black, 
foetid,  and  pi||^id  appearance;  at  length  with  the  mor- 
tification of  the  bowels,  the  pain  subsides,  and  death  ter- 
minates the  sufferings  of  the  patient."  "When  the 
quantity  is  so  very  small  as  not  to  prove  fatal,  tremors, 
paralysis,  and  lingering  hectics  succeed." 

Notwithstanding  this  terrible  description  of  the  fatal 
effects  of  this  article,  the  author  says,  'Hhough  the 
most  violent  of  mineral  poisons,  arsenic,  according  to 
Murray,  equals,  when  properly  administered,  the  first 

fedicines  in  the  class  of  tonics."  "Of  all  the  dis- 
isea,  says  Dr.  Duncan,  in  which  white  Oxyd  of  Arse- 
nic has  been  used  interrmlly,  there  is  none  in  which  it 
has  been  so  frequently  and  so  successfully  employed, 
-is  in  the  cure  of  intermittent  fevers.  We  have  now 
the  most  satisfactory  information  concerning  this  article, 
in  the  Medical  Reports,  of  the  effects  of  arsenic  in  the 
cure  of  agues,  remitting  fevers,  and  periodical  head- 
aches, by  Di^  Fowler,  of  Stafford."  Such  are  the 
powers  of  this  medicine,'  that  two  grains  cf  it  are  often 
sufficient  to  cure  an  intermittent  that  has  continued  for 
weeks!  As  an  external  remedy,  arsenic  has  long  been 
known  as  the  basis  of  the  celebrated  cancer  powders; 
"Arsenic  has  ever  been  applied  in  substance,  sprinkled 
upon  the  ulcer;  but  this  mode  of  using  it  is  exceeding- 
ly painful,  pud  cxtreiiirely  dangerous.  There  have  been 
fatal  effects  produced  from  its  absorption."  No  other 
escharotic  possesses  e^ual  powers  in  cancerous  affec- 
tions; it  not  unfrequ6ntly  amends  the  discharge,  causef 
the  sore  to  contract  in  size,  and  cases  have  been  related 
of  its  having  effected  a  cure.  But,  says  Dr.  Willich, 
"we  are,  on  the  combined  testimony  of  many  medical 
practitioners,  conspicuous  f^r  their  professional  f|MdM|ind 
integrity,   irresistibly  induced  to  declare  tmr  opinion^ 


^^I 


iM 


■#N 


%- 


pi. 


t 


* 


stomach 
tiercingi 
n  acute 
are  vio- 
3  thirit, 
i  throat' 
oppren 
cr  eject- 
El  black, 
lie  mor- 
eath  ter- 
hen  the 
tremors, 


[he  fatal 
Ligh    the 
rding  to 
the  first 
the   dis- 
of  Arae- 
which  it 
nployed, 
ive   now 
3  article, 
ic  in  the 
al  head- 
are  the 
ire  often 
riued  for 
>ng  been 
iowdera ; 
sprinkled 
ceeding- 
ave  been 
No  other 
lis  affec- 
cauBti 
[1  related 
•Willich, 
medical 


opinion^ 


0-i 


^^3^ 


>^9bi 


or,waa$ne  Family  Phyaician. 


S9 


ffr  at  least,  against  the  internal  use  of  this  active  and  dan- 
gerous medicine."    " 

I  Hhall  leave  it  to  thoTeader,  to  reconcile,  if  he  can, 
the  inconsistencies  and  absurdities  of  the  above  stater 
ments,  of  the  effects  of  ratsbane ;  and  ask  himself  the 
<pie8tion,  whether  it  can  be  possible,  for  an  article,  the 
use  of  which  is  attended  with  such  consequences,  to  be 
in  any  shape  or  form,  proper  to  be  used  as  medicine; 
yet  it  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  this  poison  is  in  constant 
use  among  the  faculty,  and  forms  the  principal  ingredient 
in  most  of  those  nostrums  sold  throughout  the  country, 
under  the  names  of  drops,  powders,  washes,  balsams, 
Sec,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  thousands  either  die, 
or  become  miserable  invalids  in  consequence. 

"Antimony,  in  the  mcjdern  nomenclature,  is  the  name 
given  to  a  peculiar  metal.    The  antimonial  metal  is  a 
medicine  of  the  greatest  power  of  any  known  substance; 
a  quantity  too  minute  to  be  sensible  in  the  most  delicate 
balance,  is  capable  of  producing  violent  effects,  if  taken  "^v 
dissolved,  or  in  a  soluble  state."     "  Sulphureted  antimo- 
ny was  employed  by  the  ancients  in  Coliyria,  against  in- 
flammation of  the  eyes,  and  for  staining  the  eyebrows  * 
black.     Its  internal  use  does  not  seem  to  have  been  es- 
tablished till  the  end  of  the  fifteenth  century;  and  even 
at  that  time  it  was  by  many  looked  upon  as  poisonous." 
•'All  the  metallic  preparations  are  uncertain,  as  it  en- 
tirely depends  on  the  state  of  the  stomach,  whether  they 
have  no  action  at  all,  or  operate  with  dangerous  violence. " 
'•The  principal  general  medicinal  application  of  antimo- 
ny has  been  for  the  "Use  of  febrile  affections."     ••  In  th'3 
latter  stage  of  fever,  where  debility  prevails,  its  use  is 
inadmissible, "    Of  the  propriety  of  using  this  metal  as 
medicine,  I  shall  leave  it  to  the  reader  to  judge  for  him- 
self. 

i'JVifre.  Salt-Petre.  This  salt,  consisting  of  nitric 
acid  and  potash,  is  found  ready  formed  on  the  surface 
of^o  soil  in  warm  climates."  "Purified  nitre  is  pre- 
scribed with  advantage  in  numerous  disorders.  Its  vir- 
tues are  those  of  a  refrigerent  and  diuretic.  It  is  usu- 
ally given  in  doses  from  two  or  three  grains  to  a  tBcni- 
Ele,  Wttng  a  very  cooling  and  resolvent  medicine,  whiell  ?: 
y  relaxing  the  spasmodic  rigidity  of  the  vessels,  pro- 
3* 


« 


>,r 


# 


m 


* 


»*i^ 


# 


:'^ 


J^^Guide  to  HuiUt^;  ^ 

■    '^  "It 

motee  not  only  the  secretion  of  urine,  but  at  the  sams  -f 
time^  insensible  perspiration,  in  febrile  disorders;  while 
it  allays  thirst  and  abates  heat;  though  in  malignant 
^ases  in  which  the  pulse  is  low,  and  the  patient's  strength 
exhausted,  it  produces  contrary  effects."  *' This  pow- 
erful salt,  when  inadvertently  taken  in  too  large  quantlr 
ties,  is  or^e  of  the  most  fatal  poisons,"  "  For  some  in- 
teresting observations  relative  to  the  deleterious  proper- 
ties of  salt-petre,  the  reader  is  referred  to  Dr.  Mitchell's 
letter  to  Dr.  Priestly." 

I  have  found  from  a  series  of  practical  experiments  for 
many  years,  that  salt-petre  has  the  most  certain  and 
deadly  efiects  upon  the  human  system,  of  any  drug  that 
is  used  as  medicine.  Although  the  effects  produced  by 
it  are  not  so  immediately  fatal  as  many  others,  yet  its 
whole  tendency  is  to  counteract  the  principles  of  life, 
and  destroy  the  operation  of  nature.  Experience  has 
taught  me  that  it  is  the  most  powerful  enemy  to  health, 
and  that  it  is  the  most  difficult  opponent  to  encounter, 
nith  any  degree  of  success,  that  I  have  ever  met  with. 
Being  in  its  nature  cold,  there  cannot  be  any  other  effects 
produced  by  it,  than  to  increase  the  power  of  that  enemy 
of  heat,  and  to  lessen  its  necessary  influence. 

*^  Opium,  when  taken  into  the  stomach  to  such  an  ex- 
tent as  to  have  any  sensible  effect,  gives  rise  to  a  pleas- 
ant serenity  of  the  mind,  in  general  proceeding  to  a  cer- 
tain degree  of  languor  and  drowsiness."  "It  excites 
thirst  and  renders  the  mouth  dry  and  parched.".  •'  Taken 
into  the  stomach  in  a  larger  dose,  gives  ris«  to  confusion 
of  the  head  and  vertigo.  The  powers  of  all  stimulating 
causes  of  making  impressions  on  the  body  are  diminish- 
ed; and  even  at  times,  and  in  situations,  when  a  person 
would  naturally  be  awake,  sl§ep  is  irresistibly  induced. 
In  still v|arger  doses,  it  acts  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
narcotic  poisons,  giving  rise  to  vsrcito,  headache,  tre- 
mors, delirium  and  convulsions ;  and  these  terminating 
in  a  state  of  stupor,  from  which  ike  person  canno#«t)e 
roused.  This  stupor  is  accompanied  with  slowness  of 
the  pulse,  and  with  stertor  in  breathing,  and  the  scene  is 
terminated  in'  death,  attended  with  the  same  appear- 
'  teces  as  talce  place  in  an  apoplexy."  "  In  iiprmit- 
tents  it  is  said  to  have  been  us||i  with  good  effect."    "  It 


■*sf 


.* 


the  samef 
;rs;  while 
malignant 
's  strength 
This  pow- 
re  quanl^ 
r  some  in- 
us  proper- 
Mitchell's 

iriments  for 
certain  and 
y  drug  that 
•ocluced  by 
ers,  yet  its 
pies  of  life, 
erience  has 
y  to  health, 
►  encounter, 
!r  met  with. 
ptheD  effects 
'that  enemy 
je. 

such  an  ex- 
e  to  a  pleas- 
ing to  a  cer- 
*'  It  excites 
"     "Taken 
to  confusion 
I  stimulating 
re  diminish- 
len  a  person 
iWy  induced, 
mner  as  the 
jadacLe,  tre- 
B  terminating 
m  canno#^be 
slowness  of 
d  the  scene  is 
anie   appear- 
In  Mprmit- 
jffect.*'     "It 


m^      or.  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


31 


'^  is  often  of  very  great  service  in  fevers  of  the  typhoid 
typo."  "  In  small  pox,  when  the  convulsions  before 
eruption  are  frequent  and  considerable,  opium  is  liberal- 
ly used."  "  In  cholera  and  pyrosis,  it  is  almost  the  onljr^ 
thing  trusted  to."  "  The  administration  of  opium  to  the 
unaccustomed,  is  sometimes  very  difficult.  The  requisite 
quantity  of  opium  is  wonderfully  different  in  different 
persons  and  in  different  states  of  the  same  person.  A 
quarter  of  a  grain  will  .in  one  adult  produce  effects  which 
ten  times  the  quantity  will  not  do  in  another.  The 
lowest  fatal  dose  to  the  unaccustomed,  as  mentioned  by 
authors,  seems  to  be  four  grains;  but  a  dangerous  dose 
is  so  apt  to  puke,  that  it  has  seldom  time  to  occasion 
death." 

From  the  above  extracts,  it  will  readily  be  seen,  that 
the  use  of  opium,  as  medicine,  is  very  dangerou-s,  at 
least,  if  not  destructive  to  health;  its  advocates,  it  will 
be  observed,  do  not  pretend  that  it  will  cure  any  disor- 
der, but  is  used  as  a  paliative  for  the  purpose  of  easing 
pain,  by  destroying  sensibility.     Pain  is  caused  by  dis- 
ease, and  there  can  be  no  other  way  to  relieve  it,  but  by 
removing  the  cause)     Sleep  produced  by  opium  is  unnat- 
ural, and  afllbrds  no  relief  to  the  patient,  being  nothing 
more  than  a  suspension  of  his  senses;    and  it  might 
with  as  much  propriety  be  said,  that  a  state  of  delirium 
is  beneficial,  for  a  person  in  that  situation  is  not  sen- 
sible of  pain.    The  fact  is,  opium  is  a  poison,  and  when 
taken  into  the  system,  produces  no  other  effect  than  to 
strengthen  the  power  of  the  enemy  to  health,  by  dead- 
ening the  sensible  organs  of  the  stomach  and  intestines, 
and  preventing  them  from  performing  their  natural  func- 
tions, so  important  to  the  tnaintaining  of  health  and 
life.     In  all  the  cases  that  have  come  within  my  knowl- 
edge, where  the  patient  has  been  long  in  the  habit  of 
taking  opium,  I  have  found  it  almost  impossible,  after  re- 
moving the  disease,  to  restore  the  digestive  powers  of 
the  stomach. 

I  have  made  the  foregoing  extracts  on  the  subject  of 
poisons,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  a  more  plain  and  sim- 
ple view  of  the  pernicious  consequences  caused  by  their 
being  given  as  medicine,  than  I  could  do  in  any  other 
manner.     In  this  short  address,  it  is  impossible  to  do 


t 


•*#• 


32 


JVei0  Guide  to  Health; 


/ 


that  justice  to  the  subject  that  I  could  wish,  and  which  its 
'  importance  demands;  but  I  am  not  without  hope,  that 
what  is  here  given  will  satisfy  every  candid  person  who 
m  reads  it,  of  the  truth  of  those  principles,  which  it  has  been 
at  all  times  my  endeavor  to  inculcate,  for  the  benefit  of 
mankind,  and  convince  them,  that  what  has  a  tendency 
to  destroy  life,  can  never  be  useful  in  restoring  health. 

In  support  of  what  has  been  before  said  on  the  use 
of  mercury,  I  will  here  give  a  short  extract  from  Dr. 
Mann's  Medical  Sketches,  which  is  but  a  trifle  in  com- 
parison with  the  many  cases  that  he  has  given  of  the 
fatal  effects  of  that  poison.  "  Calomel  should  never  be 
administered,  unless  the  patient  is  so  situated  that  the 
skin  may  be  preserved  in  its  natural  warmth.  If  this  is 
not  attended  to  during  its  administration,  either  the 
bowels  or  the  glands  of  the  mouth  suffered.  To  .one  of 
these  parts  it  frequently  directed  all  its  stimulating  pow- 
ers, and  induced  on  one  or  the  other  high  degrees  of  in- 
flammation, which  terminated  in  mortification  of  the  in- 
testines, or  destruction  of  not  only  the  muscles,  but  the 
bones  of  the  face. 

'•  Four  cases  under  these  formidable  effects  of  mercu- 
rial ptyalism,  were  admitted  into  the  general  hospital, 
at  Lewistown ;  three  of  whom  died  with  their  jaws  and 
faces  dreadfully  mutilated.  The  fourth  recovered  with 
the  loss  of  the  inferior  maxilla  on  one  side,  and  the  teeth 
on  the  other.  He  lived  a  most  wretched  life,  deformed 
in  his  features,  when  I  last  saw  the  patient,  incapable  of 
taking  food,  except  through  a  small  aperture  in  place  of 
his  mouth." 

There  are  several  vegetables  that  grow  common  in 
this  country,  which  are  pl»isons;  and  in  order  that  the 
public  may  be  on  their  guard  against  using  them  as 
medicine,  I  will  here  give  a  list  of  those  within  my 
knowledge,  viz:  Garden  Hemlock,  Night  Shade,  Apple 
Peru,  Poppy,  Henbane,  Poke-root,  Mandrake-root,  Gar- 
get-root, Wild  Parsnip,  Indigo-weed,  Ivy,  Dogwood, 
Tobacco,  and  Laurel.  In  case  either  of  these  articles, 
or  any  other-  poison  should  be  taken  through  accident, 
I  or  otherwise,  a  strong  preparation  of  No.  1,  with  a 
small  quantity  of  No.  2,  will  be  found  to  be  a  sovereign 
remedy. 


be 


■■^., 


« 


d  which  its 
hope,  that 
terson  who 
it  has  been 
5  benefit  of 
a  tendency 
ig  health, 
on  the  use 
t  from  Dr. 
ifle  in  corn- 
liven  of  the 
Id  never  be 
ed  that  the 
If  this  is 
either  the 
To  .one  of 
dating  pow- 
igrees  of  in- 
)n  of  the  in- 
ies,  but  the 

is  of  mercu- 
[al  hospital, 
r  jaws  and 
jvercd  with 
ad  the  teeth 
s,  deformed 
ncapable  of 
in  place  of 

common  in 
ler  that  the 
ng  them  as 
within  my 
lade,  Apple 
e-root,  Gar- 
Dogwood, 
3se  articles, 
;h  accident, 
.  1,  with  a 
a  sovereign 


or,  Botanic  Family  Phyncian. 


^^ 


33 


Cases  frequently  occur  in  the  country,  of  being  poi- 
soned externally,  by  some  of  the  above  vegetable  poisons, 
in  which  they  swell  very  much.  When  this  happens,  by 
taking  No.  2,  or  Composition,  and  washing  ji^ith  the 
tincture,  or  the  third  preparation  of  No.  1,  relief  may  be 
speedily  obtained. 

It  is  a  common  thing  with  the  cloctors  to  make  use  ot 
many  of  the  above  mentioned  vegetable  poisons  as  medi- 
cine; but  I  would  caution  the  public  against  the  use  of 
them  in  any  way  whatever,  as  they  will  have  no  other 
effect  than  to  increase  the  difficulty,  and  injure  the  con- 
stitution of  the  patient;  being  deadly  poisons,  it  is  im- 
possible that  they  can  do  any  good.  No  dumb  beast  will 
ever  touch  them,  and  they  are  correct  judges  of  what  is 
good  for  food  or  medicine. 

Great  use  is  made  in  many  parts  of  the  country  of 
garden  hemlock,  Scicuta,  and  is  recommended  by  the 
doctors  for  many  complaints,  to  be  taken  or  applied  ex- 
ternally. I  have  been  credibly  informed  that  large  quan- 
tities of  this  article  are  collected  and  boiled  down  to  a 
thick  substance,  by  the  people  in  the  country,  and  sold 
by  them  to  the  doctors  and  apothecaries.  It  is  well 
known  to  be  the  greatest  poison  of  any  vegetable,  and 
was  used  in  ancient  times  to  put  criminals  to  death;  but 
this  was  before  it  was  ever  thought  of,  that  the  same  ar- 
ticle that  would  cause  immediate  death  when  taken  for 
that  purpose,  would  also  cure  disease. 

Many  persons  that  pretend  to  make  use  of  my  system 
of  practice,  are  in  the  habit  of  using  some  of  the  vege- 
tables that  I  have  mentioned  as  poisonous.  I  wish  the 
public  to  understand  that  it  is  entirely  unauthorized  by 
me,  as  there  is  nothing  in  my  practice  or  writings,  but 
what  is  directly  opposed  to  every  thing  of  a  poisonous 
nature  being  used  as  a  medicine;  for  it  has  always  been 
my  aim,  to  ascertain  and  avoid  the  use  of  every  thing 
except  such  articles  as  I  knew  by  actual  experience  to 
be  agreeable  to  nature,  and  also  free  from  all  danger  or 
risk  in  using  them  to  cure,  disease.  I  therefore  caution 
the  public  against  putting  any  confidence  in  such  as  make 
use  of  either  vegetable  or  mineral  poison. 

There  has  been  several  cases  of  death  published  by 
the  doctors,  which  they  say  were  caused  by  thdse  who 


% 


* 


ii^ 


JVei«  Guide  to  Health; 


practice  by  my  system;  and  from  the  description  they 
have  given  of  the  treatment,  I  have  good  reason  to  sup- 
pose, if  there  is  any  truth  at  all  in  them,  were  attended 
by  such  «8  I  have  before  mentioned,  pretending  to  prac- 
tise by  my  system  without  having  a  correct  knowledge 
of  it;  and  who  are  tampering  with  every  kind  of  medi- 
cine they  can  find;  for  there  is  no  such  treatment  of  dis- 
ease, as  they  describe,  ever  been  recommended  by  me, 
or  that  can  be  found  in  my  writings  or  practice.  It  is 
very  convenient  for  them,  and  has  become  common,  to 
say,  when  they  happen  to  be  success! j1,  it  is  their  own 
great  improvements;  but  when  the  patient  dies,  it  is  then 
laid  to  the  Thomsonian  system  of  practice.  This  is  un- 
just, and  ought  to  be  exposed ;  and  I  ask  all  those  who 
have  a  wish  to  promote  the  practice,  to  adopt  som« 
means  to  ascertain  the  truth,  and  make  it  public. 


r- 


i-   ! 


THE    DOCTORS   V  ITHOUT   A    SYSTEM. 

That  the  doctms  have  no  system  is  a  fact  pretty  gen- 
erally acknowledged  by  themselves;  or  at  least  they 
have  none  that  has  been  fixed  upon  as  a  general  rule  for 
their  practice.  Almost  every  great  man  among  them 
has  had  a  system  of  his  own,  which  has  been  followed 
by  their  adherents  till  some  other  one  is  brought  forward 
more  fiishionable.  This  is,  undoubtedly,  a  great  evil, 
for  it  makes  every  thing  uncertain;  where  it  is  con- 
stantly changing,  there  can  be  no  dependence  on  any 
thing,  and  the  practice  must  always  be  experimental;  no 
useful  knowledge  can  be  obtained  by  the  young  practi- 
tioners, as  they  will  be  constantly  seeking  after  new  the- 
ories. What,  should  we  say  of  a  carpenter  who  should 
undertake  to  repair  a  building  without  having  any  jule 
to  work  by,  and  should  for  want  of  one,  destroy  the  half 
of  all  he  undertook  to  repair.  The  employers  would 
soon  lose  all  confidence  in  him,  and  dismiss  him  as  an 
ignorant  blockhead.  And  ia  it  not  of  infinitely  more  im- 
portance for  those  who  undertake  to  repair  the  human 
body,  to  have  some  correct  rule  to  work  by?  Their 
practice  is  founded  on  visionary  theories,  which  are  so 
uncertain  and  contradictory,  that  it  is  impossible  to  form 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


iption  they 
son  to  8up- 
e  attended 
ng  to  prac- 
kqowledge 
fid  of  raedi- 
ment  of  dia- 
ided  by  me, 
;tice.     It  is 
common,  to 
is  their  own 
j9,  it  is  then 
This  is  un- 
II  those  who 
adopt  some 
AbUc. 


;t  pretty  gen- 
it  least  they 
neral  rule  for 
among  them 
een  followed 
ught  forward 
a  great  evil, 
re  it  is  con- 
enee  on  any 
rimental",  no 
^oung  practi- 
fter  new  the- 
r  who  should 
cing  anyjfule 
stroy  the  half 
loyers  would 
liss  him  as  an 
tely  more  im- 
the  human 
by?    Their 
which  are  so 
ssible  to  form 


any  correct  general  rule  as  a  guide  to  be  depended  upon. 
In  order  to  Hhow  the  opinions  of  others,  as  well  as  my 
own,  I  Mhall  make  a  few  extracts  from  late  writers  on 
thu  Mubject.  Speaking  of  the  revolutions  of  medicines, 
one  Huys: 

"  We  have  now  noticed  the  principal  revolutions  of 
medicine;  and  we  .plainly  perceive  that  the  theory  of 
medicine,  not  only  has  been,  but  is  yet,  in  an  unsettled 
itate,  that  its  practical  application  is  wavering,  fallacious, 
nnd  extremely  pernicious;  and  taking  a  survey  of  the 
various  fortunes  of  the  art,  we  may  well  say  with  Bacon, 
that  medicine  is  a  science  that  hath  been  more  professed 
than  labored,  and  yet  more  labored  than  advanced,  the 
labor  having  been  in  a  circle,  but  not  in  progression." 

"Theories  are  but  the  butterflies  of  the  day;  they 
buKse  for  a  while  and  then  expire.  We  can  trace  for 
many  centuries  past,  one  theory  overturning  another,  yet 
each  in  its  succession  promising  itself  immortality." 

"The  application  of  the  rules  which  the  practitioner 
layi  down  to  himself  is  direct,  and  in  their  choice,  no  one 
can  err  with  impunity.  The  least  erroneous  view  leads 
to  iome  consequence.  We  must  remember  the  lives  of 
our  fellow  creatures  are  at  stake.  For  how  many  cruel 
and  premature  deaths,  how  many  impaired  and  debilitated 
oon^titutions  have  paid  for  the  folly  of  theories  ?  Follies, 
which  have  proved  abnost  always  fascinating.  The  study 
of  a  system  is  more  easy.than  an  investigation  of  nature; 
and  in  practice,  it  seems  to  smooth  every  difficulty." 

''In  my  lectures  on  the  art  of  physic,  says  Dr.  Ring, 
both  theoretical  and  practical,  I  have  fully  proved  that 
there  is  no  necessity  for  that  bane  of  the  profession,  con- 
jucture  or  hypothesis ;  and  if  I  were  asked  whether,  if  I 
myielf  were  dangerously  ill,  I  would  suffer  any  hypo- 
thetical, however  plausible  physician,  to  prescribe  for  my 
malldy,  my  answer  would  be  no,  assuredly  no,  unless  I 
wished  to  risk  the  loss  of  my  life.  I  could  give  a  re- 
markable instance  of  this. 

"Speculation  and  hypothesis  are  always  at  variance 
with  mound  experience  and  successful  practice.'* 

The  above  extracts  evince  the  pernicious  effects  of 
false  theory  and  hypothesis,  which  at  the  present  day, 
conititute  nearly  the  whole  art  of  physic. 


^ 


36 


AVir  Guide  to  Health ; 


The  following  just  remarks  are  copied  from  the  writ- 
ings of  the  Rev.  John  Wesley. 

"As  theories  increased,  simple  medicines  were  more 
and  more  disregarded  and  disused;  till,  in  a  course  of 
years,  the  greater  part  of  them  were  forgotten,  at  least 
m  the  more  polite  nations.  In  the  room  of  these,  abun- 
dance of  new  ones  were  introduced,  by  reasoning,  spec- 
ulative men ;  and  those  more  and  more  difficult  to  be 
applied,  as  being  more  remote  from  common  observation. 
Hence,  rules  for  the  application  of  these,  and  medical 
books  were  immensely  multiplied;  till  at  length  physic 
became  an  abstruse  science,  quite  out  of  the  reach  of 
ordinary  men.  Physicians  now  began  to  be  held  in  ad- 
miration, as  persons  who  were  something  more  than  hu- 
man. And  profit  attended  their  employ,  as  well  as 
honor.  So  that  they  had  now  two  weighty  reasons  for 
keeping  the  bulk  of  mankind  at  a  distance,  that  they 
might  not  pry  into  the  mysteries  of  their  profession.  To 
this  end  they  increased  those  difficulties,  by  design, 
which  were  in  a  manner  by  accident.  They  filled  their 
writings  with  abundance  of  technical  terms,  utterly  un- 
intelhgible  to  plain  men. 

"Those  who  understood  only  how  to  restore  the  sick 
to  health,  they  branded  with  the  name  of  Empirics. 
They  introduced  into  practice  abundance  of  compound 
medicines,  consisting  of  so  many  ingredients,  that  it  was 
scarce  possible  for  common  people  to  know  which  it  was 
that  wrought  a  cure.  Abundance  of  exotics,  neither 
the  nature  nor  names  of  which  their  own  countrymen 
understood." 
'  "  The  history  of  the  art  of  medicine  in  all  ages,"  says 
Dr.  Blane,  "  so  teems  with  the  fanciful  influence  of  su- 
perstitious observances,  the  imaginary  virtues  of  medi- 
cines with  nugatory,  delusive,  inefficient,  and  capricious 
practices,  fallacious  and  sophistical  reasonings,  aS  to 
render  it  little  more  than  a  chaos  of  error,  a  tissue  of  de- 
ceit unworthy  of  admission  among  the  useful  arts  and 
liberal  pursuits  of  man." 


I   ! 


*j444dU-fr)    t^A)     VbV^ 


^ 


m  the  writ- 
were  more 
a  course  of 
en,  at  least 
hese,  abun- 
»ning,  spec- 
fficult  to  be 
observation, 
ind  medical 
ngth  physic 
;he  reach  of 
5  held  in  ad- 
)re  than  hu- 

as  well  as 
'  reasons  for 
B,  that  they 
fession.    To 

by  design, 
y  filled  their 
I,  utterly  un- 

tore  the  sick 
of  Empirics, 
af  compound 
s,  that  it  was 
which  it  was 
)tics,  neither 
I  countrymen 

\  ages,"  says 
uence  of  su- 
;ue9  of  medi- 
nd  capricipwi 
Dnings,  as  to 
a  tissue  of  de- 
leful  arts  and 


V  . 


uu< 


>  .,».«  '._  .'.      ,  ..-,1  4  J.  f 

DBICRIPTIOH 
Vegetebl*  M«41cta«t  aa«d  la  my  »y»Uam  of  PmetlM. 


In  describing  those  vegetables  which  I  make  use  ot 
in  removing'  disease  and  restoring  the  health  of  tfte  par 
tient,  agreeably  to  my  system  of  practice,  I  shall  men- 
tion those  only  which  I  have  found  most  useful  by  a  long 
series  of  practical  knowledge;  and  in  the  use  of  which 
I  have  been  successful  in  effecting  tiie  desired  object. 
A  much  greater  number  of  articles  in  the  vegetable  king- 
dom, that  are  useful  as  medicine,  might  have  been  de- 
scribed, and  their  medical  virtues  pointed  out,  if  I  had 
thought  it  would  b\i  beneficial;  in  fact,  I  am  confident, 
there  are  very  few  vegetable  productions  of  our  country, 
that  I  have  not  a  tolerable  good  knowledge  of,  it  having 
been  my  principal  study  fur  above  forty  years;  but  to 
undertake  to  describe  them  all  would  be  useless  and  un- 
profitable to  my  readers,  and  could  lead  to  no  good  re- 
sult. The  plan  that  I  have  adopted  in  describing  such 
articles  as  I  have  thought  necessary  to  mention,  a;id  giv- 
ing directions  how  to  prepare  and  administer  them,  is  to 
class  them  under  the  numbers  which  form  my  system  of 
practice ;  this  was  thought  to  be  the  best  way  to  give  a 
correct  and  flill  understanding  of  the  whole  subject.  Each 
number  is  calculated  to  effect  a  certain  object,  which  is 
stated  in  the  heading  to  each  as  they  are  introduced; 
every  article,  therefore,  that  is  useful  in  promoting  such 
objects  will  be  described  as  applic^.ble  to  the  number  un- 
der which  it  is  classed.  The  three  first  are  used  to  re- 
move disease  and  the  others  as  restoratives.  There  are 
a  number  of  preparations  ami  compounds,  that  I  have 
made  use  of  and  found  good  in  curing  various  complainti; 
the  directions  for  making  them  and  a  descriptbn  of  the 


i^^ 


►• 


II  J>feu  Quidt  to  BenUki 

■rtiolef  of  which  they  are  composed  are  given  as  far  as 
was  deemed  necessary.  The  manner  of  applying  them 
'wili  be  hereafter  more  particularly  stated,  when  1  come  to 

{[ive  an  account  of  the  manner  of  treating  some  of  the  most 
mportant  cases  of  disease  which  have  come  under  my  care. 

No.  1.— To  ekanu  the  Stomach,  overpotetr  the  cold,  and 
promote  a  free  persptroiion. 

■MITIO  HBRB.   .  LOBKLIA  INFLATA  OF  LINAUS. 

In  giving  a  description  of  this  valuable  herb,  I  shall 
be  more  particular,  because  it  is  the  most  important  arti- 
olo  made  use  of  in  my  system  of  practice,  without  Wihich 
it  wotfid  be  incomplete,  and  the  medical  virtues  of  Which 
■nd  the  administering  it  in  curing  disease,  I  claim  as  my 
own  discovery.  The  first  knowledge  I  ever  had  of  it, 
was  obtained  by  accident  more  than  tifty  years  ago,  and 
never  had  any  information  whatever  concerning  it,.ex- 
oopt  what  I  have  gained  by  my  own  experience.  A 
great  deal  has  been  said  of  late  about  this  plant,  both  in 
tivor  and  against  its  utility  as  a  medicine;  but  all  that 
the  (houlty  nave  said  or  published  concerning  it,  only 
■hows  their  ignorance  on  the  subject;  for  there  is  very 
little  truth  in  what  they  have  stated  concerning  its  medi- 
oal  properties,  except  wherein  they  have  admitted  it  to 
be  a  certain  cure  for  the  asthma,  one  of  the  most  dis- 
trOMtng  complaints  that  human  nature  is  subject  to.  It 
if  i  truth  which  cannot  be  disputed  by  any  one,  that  all 
they  have  known  about  this  article,  and  the  experiments 
that  have  been  made  to  ascertain  its  value,  originated  in 
ttiy  making  use  of  it  in  my  practice. 

In  the  course. of  my  practice,  a  number  of  the  doctors 
diioovered  that  the  medicine  1  made  use  of,  produced 
•flibcti  which  astonished  them,  and  which  they  could  not 
■ooount  for;  this  induced  them  to  conclude,  that  because 
it  waa  io  powerful  in  removing  disease,  it  must  be 
pobon.  This  I  think  can  be  very  satisfactorily  account- 
ad  for;  they  have  no. knowledge  of  any  thing  in  dl 
thaiir  medical  science,  which  is  capable  of*  producing  a 
powerful  effect  upon  the  human  svstem,  except  what  is 
pelaonottf,  and  tnerefore  naturally  form  their  opiniona 
igrMAbly  to  thin  amMieoiia  theory.    There  ia  a  power 


m  as  far  w 
•lying  them 
n  1  come  to 
!  of  the  most 
dermycare. 

\e  co/d,  and 


Iierb,  I  shall 
portant  arti-  , 
ithout  ^hich 
ues  of  utrhich 
claim  as  my 
sr  had  of  it, 
krs  ago,  and 
trning  it,.ex- 
lerieace.    A 
ilant,  both  in 
i  but  all  that 
Qing  it,  only 
there  is  very 
ing  its  medi- 
idmitted  it  to 
le  most  dis- 
ibject  to.    It 
one,  that  all 
I  experiments 
originated  in 

the  doctors 
j)f,  produced 
|ey  could  not 
Ihat  because 

it  must  be 
rily  account- 
jthing  in  all 

uoducing  m 

bept  what  is 

|eir  opinions 

is  «  power 


Of,  BoUmc  FatnUy  Phynetan. 


99 


to  produce  life  and  a  power  to  produce  death,  which  are 
of  course  directly  opposed  to  each  other;  and  whatever 
tends  to  promote  life,  cannot  cause  death,  let  its  power 
be  eyer  so  great.    In  this  consists  all  the  difference  be- 
tween my  system  of  practice,  and  that  of  the  learned 
doctors.    In  consequence  of  their  thus  forming  an  erro- 
neous opinion  of  this  herb,  which  they  had  no  knowledge 
of,  they  undertook  to  represent  it  as  a  deadly  poison; 
and  in  order  to  destroy  my  practice,  they  raised  a  hue- 
and-cry  about  my  killing  my  patients  by  administering  it 
to  them.    Some  of  the  faculty  even  made  oath  that  it 
was  poison,  and  when  taken  info  the  stomach,  if  it  did 
not  cause  immediate  vomiting  it  wais  certain  death.    It 
is  unnecessary  for  me  now  to  point  out  the  falsity  of  this, 
for  the  fact  is  pretty  well  known,  that  there  is  no  death 
in  ft',  but,  on  trie  contrary,  that  there  is  no  vegetable 
that  the  earth  produces,  more  harmless  in  its  effects  on 
the  human  system,  and  none  more  powerful  in  removing 
disease  and  promoting  health. 

There  is  no  mention  made  of  this  herb,  by  any  author, 
that  I  have  been  able  to  find,  previous  to  my  discovering 
it,  excepting  by  Linesus,  who  has  given  a  correct  de- 
scription of  it  under  the  name  of  Lobelia  Inflata;  but 
there  is  nothing  said  of  its  medical  properties,  it  is  there- 
fore reasonable  to  conclude  that  they  were  not  known  till 
I  discoveri^d  it,  and  proved  it  to  be  useful.  When  the 
facult;)r  first  made  the  discovery  that  I  used  the  Emetic 
Herb  in  my  practice,  they  declared  it  to  be  a  deadly  poi- 
son', and  while  perfocuting  me  by  every  means  in  their 
power,  and  representing  to  the  world  that  I  killed  m^ 
patients  with  it,  they  were  very  ready  to  call  it  my  medi- 
cine, and  allow  it  to  be  my  own  discovery ;  but  since 
their  ignorance  of  it  has  been  exposed,  and  they  find  it 
is  going  to  become  an  article  of  great  value,  un  attempt 
seems  to  be  making,  to  rob  me  of  all  the  credit  for  caus- 
ing its  value  to  be  Known,  and  the  profits  which  belong 
to  mo  for  the  discovery.  In  which  some  who  have  been 
instructed  by  me  are  ready  to  join,  for  the  purpose  of 
promoting  their  own  interest  at  my  expense. 

Dr.  Thacher,  in  his  Dispensatory,  has  undertaken  to 
give  an  account  of  this  herb;  but  is  very  erroneous,  ex- 
cept in  the  deicription  of  it,  which  is  nearly  correct, 


40 


Mw  €Mdt  to  SiMi 


It  appears  that  all  the  knowledge  he  haa  on  the  subject, 
as  to  its  virtues,  is  borrowed  iirom  others,  and  is  proba- 
bly derived  from  the  ridiculous  ideas  entertained  of  its 
power  by  those  doctors  who  knew  nothing  about  it,  ex- 
cept what  they  gained  by  my  making  use  of  it,  ad  has 
been  before  stated.  As  to  its  being  dangerous  to  ad- 
minister it,  and  that  if  it  does  not  puke,  it  frequently 
destroys  the  patient,  and  sometimes  m  five  or  six  hours; 
and  that  even  horses  and  cattle  have  been  supposed  to 
be  killed  by  eating  it  accidentally,  is  as  absurd  as  it  is 
untrue,  and  only  proves  their  ignorance  of  the  article. 
He  tells  a  melancholy  story  about  the  Lobelia  Inflata 
being  administered  by  the  adventurous  hand  of  a  noted 
empiric,  who,  he  says,  frequently  administered  it  in  a 
dose  of  a  tea  spoonAil  of  the  powdered  leaves,  and  often 
repeated;  which,  he  says,  furnishes  alarming  examples 
of  its  deleterious  properties,  and  fatal  effects.  This, 
there  is  no  doubt,  alludes  to  me,  and  took  its  rise  from 
the  false  statements  circulated  about  me  at  the  time  of 
my  trial,  to  prejudice  the  public  against  my  practice. 
It  is  true,  the  dose  that  I  usually  prescribed  is  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  the  powder;  but  that  it  ever  produced  any 
<atal  effect,  is  altogether  incorrect,  and  is  well  known 
to  be  so  by  all  who  have  any  correct  knowledge  un  the 
subject. 

What  is  quoted  in  the  Dispensatory,  from  the  Rev. 
Dr.  M.  Cutler,  concerning  this  herb,  is,  in  general,  cor- 
rect, particularly  as  it  regards  its  being  a  specific  for  the 
asthma;  though  he  labored  under  many  mistaken  no- 
tions about  its  effects  when  taken  into  the  stomach ;  he 
says,  "  if  the  quantity  be  a  little  increased,  it  operates 
as  an  emetic  and  then  as  a  cathartic,  its  effects  being 
much  the  same  as  those  of  the  common  emetics  and  ca- 
thartics." In  this  he  is  mistaken,  for  it  is  entirely  dif- 
ferent from  any  other  emetic  known;  and  as  to  its  oper- 
ating as  a  cathartic,  I  never  knew  it  to  have  such  an 
effect  in  all  my  practice.  And  I  certainly  ou^ht  to  know 
something  about  it,  after  having  made  use  pi'  it  for  above 
forty  years,  and  administering  it  in  every  form  and 
manner  that  it  can  be  given,  and  for  every  disease  that 
has  come  within  my  knowledge.  It  appears  that  all  the 
knowledge  he  and  other  doctors  have  got  of  this  herb's 


or^  Botanic  FamUy  Phygician. 


41 


I  gubject, 
is  proba- 
ted of  its 
It  it,  ex- 
t,  UA  has 
IS  to  ad- 
re  quently 
iix  hours; 
>posed  to 
i  as  it  is 
e  article, 
ia  Inflata 
)f  a  noted 
id  it  in  a 
and  often 
examples 
;s.    This, 
rise  from 
lie  time  of 
practice, 
is  a  tea- 
uced  any 
ill  known 
re  un  the 

the  Rev. 
leral,  cor- 
fic  for  the 
itakcn  no- 
mach;  he 
t  operates 
icts  being 
;s  and  ca- 
itirely  dif- 
0  its  oper- 
9  such  an 
ht  to  know 
;  for  above 

form  and 
sease  that 
iiat  all  the 
his  h^rb^t 


being  useful  in  curing  disease,  particularly  in  the  asth- 
ma, was  obtained  from  me;  lor  when  I  was  prosecuted, 
I  was  obliged  to  expose  my  discoveries  to  show  the 
falsity  of  the  indictment.  Dr.  Cutler  was  brought  for-< 
ward  as  a  witness  at  my  trial,  to  prove  the  virtues  bf 
this  plant  by  his  evidence,  that  he  cured  himself  of 
the  asthma  with  it.  He  says  the  first  information  he 
had  of  its  being  good  for  that  complaint,  was  from  Dr. 
Drury,  of  Marblehead.  In  the  fall  of  the  year,  1807, 
I  introduced  the  use  of  the  Emetic  Herb,  tinctured  in 
spirit,  for  the  asthma  and  other  complaints  of  the  lungs, 
and  cured  several  of  the  consumption.  In  1808,  I  curn 
cd  a  woman  in  Newiugton,  of  the  asthma,  who  hud  not 
lain  in  her  bed  for  six  months.  I  gathered  some  of  the 
young  plants  not  bigger  than  a  dollar,  bruised  them,  and 
tinctured  them  in  spirits,  gave  her  the  tincture,  and  she 
lay  in  bed  the  first  night.  I  showed  her  what  it  was, 
and  how  to  prepare  and  use  it,  and  by  taking  this  and 
other  things  according  to  my  direction,  she  has  enjoyed 
a  comfctable  state  of  health  for  twelve  years,  and  has 
never  been  obliged  to  sit  up  one  night  since.  The  sam^ 
fall  I  used  it  in'Beverly  and  Salem;  and  there  can  be  no 
doubt  but  all  the  information  concerning  the  value  ofthiv 
article,  was  obtained  from  my  practice. 

After  Dr.  Cutler  had  given  his  testimony  of  the  vir- 
tues of  this  herb,  and  the  doctors  having  become  con- 
vinced of  its  value,  they  come  forward  and  say  it  is 
good  medicine  in  skilful  hands.  Who,  J  would  ask, 
is  more  skilful  than  he  who  discovered  it,  and  taught 
them  how  to  prepare  and  use  it  in  curing  one  of  the 
most  distressing  complaints  known?  Jf  it  is  a  gooid 
medicine,  it  is  mine,  and  I  am  entitled  to  the  credit  of 
introducing  it  into  use,  and  have  paid  dear  for  it;  if  it 
is'poison,  the  doctors  do  not  need  it,  as  they  have  enough 
4>f  that  now..  Dr.  Thaeher  undertakes  to  make  it  ap^ 
pear  that  the  fatal  effects  he  iells  about  its  producing, 
was  owing  to  the  quantity  given;  and  says  I  adminis- 
tered a  tea-spoonful  of  the  powder;  and  when  he  comes 
to  give  directions  for  using  it,  says  that  from  ten  to 
twenty  grains  may  be  given  with  safety.  It  appears 
grange  that  different  terms  should  produce  sucb  diflferent 
4* 


I  ^^ 


42 


A«t0  Gvnde  to  Health; 


ofTects  iti  (he  operation  of  medicine.  If  a  tea-spoon fnl 
is  given  by  an  empiric,  its  effects  are  fatal ;  but  if  the 
same  quantity  is  administered  by  a  learned  doctor,  and 
called  grains,  it  is  a  useful  medicine. 

This  herb  is  described  in  Thacher's  Dispensatory  un- 
der the  names  of  Lobelia  Inflata,  Lobelia  Enietica, 
Emetic   Weed,    and   Indian  Tobacco;    several    other 
names  have  been  given  it,  some  by  way  of  ridicule  and 
others  for  the  purpose  of  creating  a  prejudice  agninst  it; 
all  of  which  have  so  confounded  it  with  other  articles  that 
there  is  a< difficulty  in  ascertaining  what  they  mean  to 
describe.     I  have  been  informed  that  there  is  a  poisonous 
root  which  grows  iii  the  Southern  States,  callecl  Luibelia, 
which  has  been  used  as  a  medicine ;  the  calling  this  herb 
by  that  name,  has  probably  been  one  reason  of  its  being 
thought  to  be  poison.     Why  it  has  had  the  name  of  In- 
dian Tobacco  given  it,  I  know  not;  there  is  a  plant  that 
is  called  by  that  name,  which  grows  in  this  country,  but 
is  entirely  different  from,  this  herb  both  in  appearance 
(ind  medical  virtues.     In  the  United  States  Pharmaco- 
poeia, there  are  directions  given  for  preparing  the  tino* 
ture  of  Indian  Tobacco;  whether  they  mean  tnis  herb  or 
the  plant  that  has  been  always  called  by  that  name,  does 
not  appear;   but  it' is  probable  they  mean  the  emetic 
herb,  and  that  all  the  knowledge  they  have  of  it  is  from 
Dr.  Cutler's  description.     It  is  said  by  Thacher,  that  it 
was  employed  by  the  aborigines  and  by  those  who  deal 
in  Indian  remedies;  and  others  who  are  attempting  to  rob 
me  of  the  discovery  affect  to  believ«  the  same  thing;  but 
this  is  foanded  altogether  upon  conjecture,  for  they  can- 
not produce  a  single  instance  of  its  having  been  employ- 
ed as  a  medicine  iil!  I  made  use  of  it.    1*he  fact  is,  it  is 
a  new  article,  wUoUy  unknown  to  the  medical  faculty, 
till  I  introduced  it  into  use,  and  the  best  evidence  of  this 
is,  that  they  are  now  ignorant  of  its  powers;  and  all  the 
knowledge  they  have  of  it  has  been  obtained  from  my 
practice.     It  would  be  folly  for  me  to  undertake  to  say 
but  that  it  may  have  been  used  by  the  natives  of  this  coun- 
try; but  one  thing  I  am  certain  of,  that  J  never  had  any 
knowledge  of  their  using  it,  nor  ever  received  ariy  infor- 
mation concerning  it  from  them,  or  any  one  else. 


■M. 


r 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


43 


-spoonfal 
)ut  if  the 
ctor,  and 

latory  un- 
Enietica, 
ral    other 
licule  and 
cignintt  it; 
ticlet  that 
y  mean  to 
poisonous 
d  Ltibolia, 
g  thii  herb 
ii'iti  being 
ime  of  In- 
i  plunt  that 
Duntry,  but 
ippearanoe 
Pharmaco- 
g  the  tino* 
thin  herb  or 
name,  does 
the  emetic 
>f  it  if  from 
her,  that  it 
m  who  deal 
ipting  to  rob 
thing;  but 
ar  they  can- 
jen  employ- 
fact  ia,  it  it 
cal  facultjr, 
lence  of  this 
and  all  the 
ed  from  my 
take  to  say 
ofthiscoun- 
iver  had  any 
id  arty  infor- 
else. 


The  Emetic  Herb  may  be  found  in  the  first  stages  of 
its  growth  at  all  times  through  the  summer,  from  the 
bigness  of  a  six  cent  piece  to  that  of  a  dollar,  and  larger, 
lymg  flat  on  the  ground,  in  a  round  form,  like  a  rose 

f tressed  flat,  in  order  to  bear  the  weight  of  snow  which 
ays  on  it  during  the  winter,  and  is  subject  to  be  winter- 
killed like  wheat.  In  the  spring  it  looks  yellow  and 
pale,  like  other  things  suffering  from  wet  and  cold;  but 
when  the  returning  sun  spreads  forth  its  enlivening  rays 
upon  it,  it  lifts  up  its  leaves  and  shoots  forth  a  stalk  to  the 
height  of  from  twelve  to  fifleen  inches,  with,  a  number 
of  branches,  carrying  up  its  leaves  with  its  growth.  Tn 
July  it  puts  '{prth  small  pointed  pale  blue  blossoms,  which 
is  followed  by  small  pods  about  the  size  of  a  white 
bean,  containing  numerous  very  small  seeds.  This  pod 
is  an  exact  resemblance  of  the  human  stomach,  having 
an  inlet  and  outlet  higher  than  the  middle;  from  the 
inlet  it  receives  nourishment,  and  by  the  outlet  dis- 
charges the  seeds.  It  comes  to  maturity  about  the  flrst 
of  September,  when  the  leaves  and  pods  turn  a  little 
yellow;  this  is  the  best  time  to  gather  it.  It  is  what  is 
called  by  botanists,  a  bienneal  plant,  or  of  only  two 
years  existence. 

This  plant  is  common  in  all  parts  of  this  country. 
Wherever  the  land  is  fertile  enough  to  yield  support  for 
its  inhabitants  it  may  be  found.  It  is  confined  to  no 
soil  which  is  fit  for  cultivation,  from  the  highest  moun- 
tains to  the  lowest  vallevs.  In  hot  and  wet  seasons  it  is 
most  plenty  on  dry  and  warm  lands;  in  hot  and  dry 
seasons  on  clayey  and  heavy  lands.  When  the  season 
is  cold,  either  wet  or  dry,  it  rarely  makes  its  appearance; 
and  if  the  summer  and  fall  is  very  dry  the  seed  does 
not  come  up,  and  of  course  there  will  be  very  little  to 
be  found  the  next  season.  I  have  been  in  search  of 
this  herb  from  Boston  to  Canada,  and  was  not  able  to 
collect  more  than  two  pounds;  and  in  some  seasons  I 
have  not  been  able  to  collect  any.  I  mention  this  to 
show  the  uncertainty  o/its  growth,  and  to  put  the  peo- 
ple on  their  guard  to  be  careful  and  lay  up  a  good  stock 
of  it  when  plenty.  In  the  year  1807,  if  I  had  offered  a 
reward  of  a  thousand  dollars  fbr  a  pound  of  this  herb,  I 
should  not  have  been  able  to  have  obtained  it.    I  have 


44 


J^ew  Guide  to  Heatih; 


seen  the  time  that  I  would  have  given  two  dollars  for  an 
ounce  of  the  powder,  but  there  was  none  to  be  had; 
which  necessity  taught  ine  to  lay  upalh  I  could  obtain 
when  it  was  plenty. 

In  seasons  when  this  herb  is  plenty,  it  may  be  found 
growing  in  highways  and  pastures,  by  the  side  of  old 
turnpikes,  and  in  stubble  land,  particularly  where  it  has 
been  laid  down  to  grass  the  year  before;  v/hen  grass  is 
scarce,  it  is  eaten  by  cattle,  and  is  hard  to  be  found 
when  full  grown.  It  is  a  wild  plant,  and  a  native  of  this 
country ;  but  there  is  no  doubt  of  its  being  common  to 
other  countries.  It  may  be  transplanted  and  cultivated 
in  gardens,  and  will  be  much  larger  and  mgre  vigourous 
than  when  g  )wing  wild.  If  some  stalks  are  led,  it 
will  sow  itseii,  and  probably  may  be  produced  from  the 
seed ;  but  how  long  the  seeds  remain  in  the  ground  be- 
fore they  come  up,  I  do  not  know,  never  having  made 
any  experiments  to  ascertain  the  fact.  It  is  certain  thBt 
it  is  produced  from  the  seed,  and  there  is  no  good  reason 
to  suppose  that  it  may  not  be  cultivated  in  gardens  from 
the  seed  as  well  as  other  vegetables;  I  think  it  most 
probable,  however,  from  the  nature  of  the  plant,  that  it 
will  not  come  up  till  the  seeds  have  laid  at  least  one  win- 
ter in  the  ground. 

This  plant  is  different  in  one  very  important  particu- 
lar, from  all  others  that  I  have  a  knowledge  of,  that  the 
same  quantity  will  produce  the  same  effect  in  all  stages 
of  its  growth,  from  its  first  appearance  till  it  comes  to 
maturity;  but  the  best  time  for  gathering  it,  as  has  be- 
fore been  mentioned,  is  when  the  leaves  and  pods  begin 
to  tarn  yellow,  for  then  the  seed  is  ripe,  and  you  have  all 
there  can  be  of  it.  It  should  then  be  cut  and  kept  clean, 
and  spread  in  a  large  chamber  or  lofl,  to  dry,  where 
it  is  open  to  the  air  in  the  day  time,  and  to  be  shut  from 
the  damp  airduringthe  night.  When  perfectly  dry,  shake 
<out  the  seed  and  sift  it  .through  a  common  meal  sieve,  and 
preserve  it  by  itself;  then  beat  off  the  leaves  and  pods  from 
the  stalks,  and  preserve  them  clean.  This  herb  may  be 
prepared  for  use  in  three  different  ways^  viz.  1  st.  The 
powdered  leaves  and  pods.  2d.  A  tincture  made  from 
ihe  green  herb  with  spirif.  dd.  The  seeds  reduced  to  a 
:fine  powder  And  compounded  with  Nqs.  S  .and  6. 


the 

anc 

in 

kn 

a  te 
the 
whf 
full 
3. 
take 
spoo 
and 
Umt 


or.  Botanic  Family  Phyaician. 


4ft 


ars  for  an 
>  b€  had; 
iild  obtain 

be  found 
ide  of  old 
here  it  has 
n  grass  is 
)  be  found 
live  of  this 
common  to 
[  cultivated 
B  vigourous 
are  left,  it 
ed  frcni  the 
ground  be- 
Eiving  made 
certain  that 
good  reason 
urdens  from 
link  it  most 
ilant,  that  it 
ast  one  win- 
ant  partieu- 
of,  that  the 
n  all  stages 
it  comes  to 
,  as  has  be- 
l  pods  begin 
you  have  all 
1  kept  clean, 
dry,  where 
te  shut  from 
ly  dry,  shake 
al  sieve,  and 
nd  pods  from 
herb  may  be 
_.  Ist.    The 
e  made  from 
reduced  to  a 
ind  6. 


1 .  After  the  leaves  and  pods  are  separated  from  the 
stalks,  pound  or  grind  them  in  a  m.^rtar  to  fine  powder, 
sift  it  througk  a  fine  sieve,  and  preserve  it  from  the  air. 
This  is  the  m  at  coininon  preparation,  and  may  be  given 
in  many  difTirent  ways,  either  by  itself  or  compounded 
with  other  articles.  For  a  cominan  dose,  take  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  this  powder  with  the  same  qukntity  of  sugar 
in  half  a  tea-cupful  of  wann  water,  or  a  tea  of  No.  3 
may  be  used  instead  of  the  water;  this  dose  may  be 
taken  all  at  one  time,  or  at  three  times,  at  intervals  of 
ten  minutes.  For  a  you'\^  child  strain  off  the  liquor 
and  give  a  part  as  circuinitances  shall  require.  There 
is  but  one  way  in  which  this  herb  can  be  prepared,  that 
it  will  refuse  its  services,  and  that  is  when  boiled  or 
scalded;  it  is  therefore  important  to  bear  in  mind  that 
there  mu^t  never  be  any  thing  put  to  it  warmer  than  a 
blood  heat. 

2.  To  prepare  the  tincture,  take  the  green  herb  in 
any  stage  of  its  growth,  if  the  small  plants  are  used,  take 
roots  and  all,  put  them  into  a  m  )rtar  and  pound  them 
fine,  then  add.  tne  same  quantity  of  good  spirits;  when 
well  pounded  and  worked  together,  strain  it  throutrh  a 
fine  cloth  and  squeeze  and  press  it  hard  to  get  out  al'  %he 
juice;  save  the  liquor  in  bottles,  close  stopped,  f^r  use. 
G)od  vinegar,  or  pepper-sauce  may  be  used  instead  of 
the  spirit.  Prepared  in  this  manner,  it  is  an  elTc3otual 
counter-poison,  either  taken,  or  externally  applied.  It 
is  also  an  excellent  medicine  for  the  asthma,  and  all 
com,)laints  of  the  lungs.  This  is  the  only  way  in  which 
the  doctors  have  made  use  of  the  Emetic  Herb; 
and  they  acknowledgre  it  to  be  one  of  the  best  remedies 
in  many  com  )laiats,  that  ha^  bsen  found,  though  they 
know  but  little  about  it.  For  a  dose,  take  from  half  to 
a  tea-spoonful.  Its  effects  will  be  m  >re  certain  if  about 
the  same  quantity  of  No.  2,  is  added,  and  in  all  cases 
where  there  are  nervous  symptoms,  add  half  a  tea-spoon- 
full  of  nerve  powder,  Umbil,  to  the  dose. 

3.  Reduce  the  seeds  to  a  fine  powder  in  a  mortar,  and 
take  half  an  ounce  of  this  powder,  or  about    a    large 
spoonful,'  with  the  same  quantity  of  No.  2,  made  tine, 
and  put  them  in  a  gill  of  No.  6,  adding  a  tea-spoonful  of 
Umbil;  to   be  kept  close  stopped  in  a  bottle  for  use; 


$f 


46 


Aew  Guide  to  HeaWt; 


when  taken,  to  be  well  shaken  together.  This  pre  para* 
tion  is  for  the  most  violent  attacks  of  disease,  such  as 
lock-jaigr,  bite  of  mad  dog,  drowned  persons,  fits,  spasms, 
and  in  all  cases  of  suspended  animation,  where  the  vital 
spark  is  nearly  extinct.  It  will  go  through  the  system 
like  electricity,  givltag  heat  and  life  to  every  part.  In 
cases  where  the  spasms  are  so  violent  that  they  are 
stiff,  and  the  jaws  become  set,  by  pouring  some  of  this 
liquid  into  the  mouth  between  the  cheek  and  teeth,  as 
soon  as  it  touches  the  glands  at  the  roots  of  the  tongue, 
the  spasms  will  relax,  and  the  jaws  will  become  loosen- 
ed so  that  the  mouth  will  open;  then  give  a  duse  of  it, 
and  as  soon  as  the  spasms  have  abated,  repeat  it,'  and  a^ 
terwards  give  a  tea  of  No.  3,  for  canker.  This  course 
I  never  knew  fail  of  giving  relief.  It  is  good  in  less 
violent  cases,  to  bring  out  the  measles  and  small  pox; 
and  if  applied  to  pimples,  warts,  &c.  will  remove  them. 
I  have  cured  three  dogs  with  this  preparation,  who  were 
under  the  most  violent  symptoms  of  hydrophobia;  one 
of  my  agents  cured  a  man  with  it  who  had  been  bitten 
by  a  mad  dog ;  and  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  of  its  be- 
ing a  specific  for  that  disease.  For  a  dose,  take  a  tea- 
spoonful. 

Much  has  been  said  of  the  power  of  the  Emetic  Herb, 
and  some  have  expressed  fears  of  it  on  that  account; 
but  I  can  assure  the  public,  that  there  is  not  the  least 
danger  in  using  it;  I  have  given  it  to  children  from  one 
day  old  to  persons  of  eighty  years.  It  is  most  powerful 
in  removing  disease,  but  innocent  on  nature.  Its  oper- 
ation in  different  persons,  is  according  to  their  different 
tempers,  moving  with  the  natural  current  of  the  animal 
•spirits.  There  is  two  cases  where  this  medicine  will 
not  operate,  viz.  when  the  patient  is  dying,  and  where 
there  is  no  death;  or  in  other  words,  when  there  is  no 
disease.  There  can  be  no  war  where  there  is  no  enemy. 
When  there  ^s  no  cold  in  the  body  there  is  nothing  to 
contend  against,  and  when  there  is  no  heat  in  the  body 
there  is  nothing  to  kindle;  in  either  case  therefore  this 
medicine  is  silent  and  harmless.  It  is  calculated  to  re- 
move She  cause  and  no  more,  as  food  removes  hunger, 
and  drink,  thirst.  It  clears  all  obstructions  to  the  ex- 
tremities, without  regard  to  the  names  of  disease,  until 


or,  Botanic  Famly  Phytician. 


47  » 


B  pre  para- 
5,  8uch  aa 
;g,  spasms, 
e  the  vital 
ihe  system 
r  part.    In 
i  they  are 
)me  of  thia 
d  teeth,  as 
ihe  tongue, 
>ine  loosen- 

dose  of  it, 
it  it,^  and  af- 
This  course 
rood  in  less 

small  pox; 
jmove  them, 
n,  who  were 
jphobia;  one 

been  bitten 
iibt  of  its  be- 
,  take  a  tea- 

Gmetic  Herb, 
hat  account; 
not  the  least 
ren  from  one 
lost  powerful 
e.     Its  oper- 
heir  different 
of  the  animal 
medicine  will 
r,  and  where 
n  there  is  no 
is  no  enemy, 
is  nothing  to 
it  in  the  body 
therefore  this 
culated  to  re- 
noves  hunger, 
tns  to  the  ex- 
disease,  until 


it  produces  an  equilibrium  in  the  system,  and  will  be  felt 
in  the  fingers  and  toes,  producing  a  prickling  feeling  like 
that  caused  by  a  knock  of  the  elbow;  this  symptom  is 
alarming  to  those  unacquainted  with  its  operation;  but  is 
always  favorable,  being  a  certain  indication  of  the  turn 
of  the  disorder,  and  they  generally^  gain  from  that  time. 
In  regard  to  the  quantity  to  be  given  as  a  dose,  it  is 
matter  of  less  censequence  than  is  generally  imagined. 
The  most  important  thing  is  to  give  enough  to  produce 
the  desired  effect.  If  too  little  is  given,  it  will  worry 
the  patient,  and  do  little  good;  if  more  is  given  than 
what  is  necessary,  the  surplus  will  be  thrown  off,  and  is 
a  waste  of  medicine.  I  nave  given  directions  what  I 
consider  as  a  proper  dose  in  common  cases,  of  the  dif- 
ferent preparations,  but  still  it  must  be  leflt  to  the  judg- 
ment of  those  who  use  it,  how. much  to  give.  The  most 
safe  way  will  be  to  give  the  smallest  prescribed  dose 
first,  then  repeat  it  till  it  produce  the  wished  operation. 
In  cases  where  the  stomach  is  cold  and  very  foul,  its 
operation  will  be  slow  and  uncertain;  in  which  case 
give  No.  2,  which  will  assist  it  in  doing  its  work.  See 
also,  page  90,  §  11. 

When  this  medicine  is  given  to  patients  that  are  ia 
a  decline,  or  are  laboring  under  a  disease  of  long  stand- 
ing, the  symptoms  indicating  a  crisis  will  not  take  place 
till  they  have  been  carried  through  from  three  to  eight 
courses  of  the  medicine;  and  the  lower  they  have  been, 
the  more  alarming  will  be  the  symptoms.  I  have  seen 
some  who  would  lay  and  sob  like  a  child  that  had  been 
punished,  for  two  hours,  not  able  to  speak  or  to  raise 
their  hand  to  their  head;  and  the  next  day  be  about,  and 
soon  get  well.  In  cases  where  they  have  taken  consid- 
erable opium,  and  this  medicine  is  administered,  it  will 
in  its  operation  produce  the  same  appearances  and  symp- 
toms that  is  produced  by  opium  when  first  given,  which 
having  laid  dormant,  is  roused  into  action  by  the  en- 
livening qualities  of  this  medicine,  and  they  wiU^,  be 
thrown  into  a  senseless  state;  the  whole  syatem  wHi  be 
<me  complete  mass  of  confusion,  tumblinf^m  every  direc- 
tion; will  take  two  or  three  to  hold  them  on  the  bed; 
they  grow  cold  as  though  dying;  remaining  in  this  way 
firom  two  to  eight  hours,  and  then  awake,  uke  one  from 


48 


JWto  Guide  io  Health; 


•leep  after  a  good  night's  rest ;  be  entirely  calm  and  lenii- 
ble  us  though  nothing  had  ailed  them.  It  is  seldom  (hey 
ever  have  more  than  one  of  these  turns;  as  it  is  the  last 
struggle  oi  (he  disease,  and  they  generally  begin  to  recov- 
er Irom  that  time.  1  have  been  more  particular  in 
describing  these  effects  of  the  medicine^  as  they  are  very 
alarming  to  those  unacquainted  with  them,  in  order  to 
show  that  there  is  no  danger  to  be  apprehended,  as  it  is 
certain  evidence  of  a  favorable  turn  of  the  disease. 

The  Emetic  Herb  is  of  great  value  in  preventing  sick- 
ness as  well  as  curing  it;  by  taking  a  dose  when  first 
attacked  by  any  complaint  it  will  throw  it  off,  and  (Ve- 
quently  prevent  long  sickness.  It  not  only  acts  as  an 
emetic,  and  throws  off  the  dtomach  every  thhig  (hat 
nature  does  tiot  require  for  support  of  the  system; 
but  extends  its  effects  to  every  part  of  the  body.  It  !• 
searching,  enlivening,  quickening  and  has  a  great  power 
in  removing  all  obstructions;  but  it  soon  exhausts  itself, 
and  if  not  followed  by  some  other  medicine  to  hold  (h» 
vital  heat  till  nature  is  able  to  support  itself  by  digesting 
the  food,  it  will  not  be  sufficient  to  remove  a  disesst 
that  has  become  seated.  To  eflect  this  important  object, 
put  me  to  much  trouble,  and  after  trying  many  experi- 
ments to  get  something  that  would  answer  the  purpose, 
I  found  that  what  is  described  under  No.  2,  was  the  best 
and  only  ntedicine  I  have  a  knowledge  of,  that  would 
hold  the  heat  in  the  stomach,  and  not  evaporate;  and 
by  giving  No.  3,  to  remove  the  canker,  which  is  the  great 
cause  of  disease ;  and  then  following  with  Nos.  4  and  5,  to 
correct  the  bile,  restore  the  digestion,  and  strengthen 
the  system,  I  have  had  little  trouble  in  effecting  a  cure. 
Directions  for  preparing  &c. — see  page  79. 


No.  2. — To  retain  the  itUemal  vital  heat  of  the  iyitem 
and  cause  a  free  perspiration. 

*' ,       ''  CAYENNE.      CAPSICUM. 

This  article  being  so  well  knowr>  it  will  be  unneceseg^ 
ry  to  be  very  particular  in  describing  it.  It  has  been  a 
loiig  time  used  for  culinary  purposes,  and  comet  to  Uf 
prepared  for  use  by  being  ground  to  powder,  and  a  pto* 


or,  Botanic  Family  Phy»ician. 


49 


Im  and  wnsi- 
geldom  they 
it  is  the  Iftfit 
gin  to  recov- 
particuUr   in 
they  are  very 
,  in  order  to 
ndcd,  as  it  ie 
dittenae. 
eventing  »ick- 
66  when  flriit 
;  off,  and  (Ve- 
ily  act»  ai  on 
ry  thhng  that 
[  the    fcyntem; 
e  body.    It  ii 
I  a  great  j)ower 
jxhausts  itself, 
ine  to  hold  the 
If  by  digesting 
love  a  disespe 
iportant  object, 
;  many  experi- 
Tthe  purpose, 
2,  was  the  best 
of,  that  would 
evaporate;  and 
lich  is  the  great 
Hon.  4  and  6,  to 
and  strengthen 

ecting  a  cure. 

9. 


t  of  the  iyttm 


be  unneccsai^ 
It  has  been  a 
id  comet  to  ui 
der,  and  «  pro- 


portion of  salt  mixed  with  it ;  this  destroys,  in  some  de- 
greo,  its  stimulatifig  effects,  and  makes  it  less  pungent; 
but  it  is  not  S3  good  for  medicino  as  in  its  pure  tftate. 
It  is  said  to  be  a  native  of  South  America,  and  is  culti- 
vated in  many  of  the  West  India  Islands;  that  which 
«omes  to  this  country,  is  brought  from  Dcniarara  and 
Jamaica.  It  also  grows  in  other  parts  of  the  world.  I 
once  bought  one  hundred  pounds  of  it  in  the  pod,  which 
was  brought  from  the  Coast  of  Guinea;  had  it  ground  at 
Portsmouth,  and  it  was  as  good  as  any  I  ever  used. 
There  are  several  species  that  are  described  under  the 
name  of  Cvapsicum;  all  of  which  are  about  the  same,  as 
to  their  stimulating  qualities.  The  pods  only  are  used; 
thoy  are  lung  and  pointed,  are  of  a  green  color  till  ripe, 
when  they  turn  of  a  bright  orange  re^  When  the  pods 
are  green,  they  are  gathered  and  preserved  in  salt  aUd 
water  and  brought  to  this  country  in  bottles,  when  vine- 
gar is  put  to  them,  which  is  sold  undorthe  name  of  Pep- 
per-Sauce. The  ripe  pods  ground  to  a  powder  is  what  is 
used  for  medicine  and  cooking;  but  the  Pepper-Sauce  is 
very  good  to  b^  taken  as  medicine  and- applied  externally; 
the  green  pods  hold  their  attracting  power  till  ripe,  and 
therefore  keep  their  strength  much  longer  when  put  in 
vinegar;  as  the  bottle  may  be  filled  up  a  number  of  times, 
and  the  strength  seems  to  be  the  same;  but  when  the 
ripe  pods  are  put  in  vinegar,  the  first  time  will  take  near- 
ly all  the  strength. 

I  shall  not  undertake  to  dispute  but  that  Cayenne  has 
been  used  for  medical  purposes,  long  before  1  had  any 
knowledge  of  it;  and  that  it  is  one  of  the  safest  and  best 
articles  ever  discovered  to  remove  disease,  I  know  to  be 
a  fact,  from  long  experience;  but  it  is  equally  true,  that 
the  medical  faculty  never  considered  it  of  much  value, 
and  the  people  had  no  knowledge  of  it  as  a  medicine,  till 
I  introduced  it,  by  making  use  of  it  in  my  practice.  Mei»- 
tion  is  made-of^  Cayenne  in  the  Edinburgh  Dispensalor/, 
at  chiefly  employed  for  culinary  purposes,  but  that  of  late 
it  has  been  employed  also  in  the  practice  of  medicine. 
The  author  says  that  "there  can  be  little  ddubt  that  it 
fiirnishes  one  of  the  purest  and  strongest  stimulants  which 
can  be  introduced  into  the  stomach ;  while  at  the  same 
time  it  has  nothing  of  the  narcotic  eflfoctsof  ardent  spif  it*. 
6 


■* 


60 


Jfew  Guide  to  Health; 


I 


*  * 


It  is  said  to  havo  been  used  with  success  in  curing  some 
cases  of  disease,  that  had  resisted  ul!  other  remedies.'* 
All  this  I  am  satisfied  is  true,  fur  if  given  as  a  med- 
icine, it  always  will  be  found  useful ;  but  all  the  knowl- 
edge they  had  of  it  seems  to  have  been  derived  from  a 
few  experiments  that  had  been  made,  without  fixing  upon 
any  particular  manner  of  preparing  or  administering  it, 
or  in  what  disease,  as  is  the  case  with  all  ether  articles 
that  are  introduced  into  general  practice.  In  Thacher's 
Dispensatory,  the  same  account  is  given  of  Cayenne,  as 
in  the  Edinburgh,  and.  in  almost  the  same  words. 

I  never  had  any  knowledge  of  Cayenne  being  useful 
as  a  medicine,  or  that  it  had  ever  been  used  as  such,  till 
I  discovered  it  by  accident,  as  has  been  the  case  with 
most  other  articl(s«(^used  by  me.    After  I  had  fixed  upon 
a  system  for  my  government  in  practice,  I  found  much 
difficulty  in  getting  something  that  would  not  only  pro- 
duce a  strong  heat.in  the  body,  but  would  retain  it  till 
the  canker  could  be  removed,  and  the  digestive  powers 
restored,  so  that  the  food,  by  being  properly  digested, 
would  maintain  the  natural  heat.     1  tried  a  great  num- 
ber of  articles  that  were  of  a  hot  nature ;  but  could  find 
nothing  that  would  hold  the  heat  any  length  of  time. 
I  made  use  of  ginger,  mustard,  horse-radish,  peppermint, 
batternut  bark,  and  mony  other  hot  things;   but  they 
were  all  more  or  less  volatile,  and  would  not  have  the 
desired  effect.    With  these,  however,  and  the  Emetic 
Herb,,  together  with  the  aid  of  steam,  I  was  enabled  to 
practice  with  pretty  general  success.     In  the  fall  of  the 
year  1805,  I  was  out  in  search  of  Umbil,  on  a  mountain, 
in  Walpole,  N.  H.     I  went  into  a  house  at  the  foot  of 
the   mountain^  to  inquire   for  some    rattlesnake    oil; 
while  in  the  house,  I  saw  a  large  string  of  red  peppers 
hanging  in  the  room,  which  put  me  in  mind  of  what  I 
had  been  a  long  time  in  search  of,  to  retain  the  internal 
beat.     I  knew  uiem  to  be  very  hot;  but  did  not  know  of 
Tvkat  nature.    I  obtained  these  peppers,  carried  them 
home,  reduced  them  to  powder,  and  took  some  of  the 
powder  myself,  and  found  it  to  answer  the  purpose  bet- 
ter than  any  thing  els%  I  had  made  use  6f.     I  put  it  in 
spirit  with  the  Emetic  Herb,  and  gave  the  tincture  mix- 
M  in  a  tea  of  witch-hazle  laaves,  and  foimd  that  it  would 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


Bl 


uring  iome 

rcmedicB.'* 

1  an  a  med- 
the  knowl- 

vcd  from  a 
fixing  upon 

nistciing  it, 

;her  articles 

n  Thacher'» 

Cayenne,  as      • 

orda. 

being  useful 
as  such,  till 

le  case  with 

d  fixed  upon 
found  much 

not  only  pro- 

l  retain  it  till 

istive  powers 

erly  digested, 

a  great  num- 

)ut  could  find 

igth  of  time. 
,  peppermint, 

gs;   but  they 
not  have  the 

J  the  Emetic 
as  enabled  to 
he  fall  of  the 
A  a  mountain, 
at  the  foot  of 
tlcsnake    oil; 
f  red  peppers 
ind  of  what  I 
in  the  internal 
id  not  know  of 
carried  them 
some  of  the 
e  purpose  bet- 

*     1  put  it  in 
tincture  mix- 
i  that  it  would 


retain  the  heat  in  the  stomach  after  pukiag;  and  pre- 
serve the  strength  of  the  patient  in  pruportii>n.  I  made 
use  of  it  in  ditferent  ways  fur  two  years,  and  always  with 
good  success. 

'  In  the  fall  of  1807,  I  wos  in  Newbury  port,  and  saw  a 
bottle  of  pepper-sauce,  being  the  first  1  had  ever  seen; 
I  bought  It  and  curried  it  hunie;  got  some  of  the  same 
kind  of  pepper  that  was  dried,  which  I  put  into  the  bot- 
tle; this  made  it  very  hot.  On  my  way  home,  wen  taken 
unwell,  and  was  quite  cold;  I  took  a  swallow  from  the 
bottle,  which  caused  violent  pain  for  a  few  minutes,  when 
it  produced  perspiration,  and  I  soon  grew  easy.  I  after- 
wards tried  it  and  found  that  after  it  had  expelled  the 
cold,  it  would  not  cause  pain.  From  these  experiments, 
1  became  convinced  that  this  kind  ot  pepper  was  much 
stronger,  and  would  be  better  for  medical  use  than  the 
common  red  pepper.  Soon  after  this,  I  was  again  in 
Kewburyport,  and  made  inquiry,  and  found  some  Cay- 
enne; but  it  was  prepared  with  salt  .for  table  use,  which 
injured  it  for  medical  purposes.  I  tried  it  by  tasting, 
and  selected  that  which  had  the  least  salt  in  it.  I  at- 
terwards  made  ..use  of  this  article,  and  found  it  to  an- 
swer all  the  purposies  wished;  and  was  the  very  thing 
I  had  long  boca  in  search  of.  The  next  year  I  went  to 
Portsmouth,  and  made  inquiries  concerning  Cayenne, 
and  from  those  who  dealt  in  the  article,  I  learned  that  it 
wad  brought  to  this  country  from  Demarara  and  Jamaica, 
prepared  only  for  table  use,  and  that  salt  was  put  with 
it  to  preserve  it  and  make  *•:  more  palateable.  I  became 
acquainted  with  a  French  gentleman  who  had  a  brother 
in  Demarara;  and  made  arrangements  with  him  to  send 
to  his  brother,  and  request  him  to  procure  some,  and 
have  it  prepared  without  salt.  He  did  so,  and  sent 
out.  a  box  containing  about  eighty  pounds,  in  a  pure 
state.  I  sent  also  by  many  others,  that  were  going  to 
the  places  where  it  grows,  to  procure  all  they  could; 
in  consequence  of  which,  large  quantities  were  import- 
ed into  Portsmouth,  much  more  than  there  was  imme- 
•diate  demand  for.  I  was  not  able  to  purchase  but  a 
small  part  of  what  was  brought,  and  it  was  bought 
up  by  others  on  speculation,  and  sent  to  Boston;  the 
consequence  was,  that  the  price  was  so  much  reduced, 


,1  ♦ 


M 


A*ew  Guide  to  HeaUK; 


i 


I 


l^' 


that  it  would  not  bring  the  first  dost,  which  put  a 
itop  to  its  being  imported,  and  it  has  skice  been  very 
•curce. 

When  I  first  began  to  use  this  article,  it  caused  much 
talk  among  the  people  in  Portsmouth,  and  the  adjoining 
towns;  the  doctors  tried  to  frighten  them  by  telling  that 
I  made  use  of  Cayenne  Pepper  as  a  medicine,  and  that 
it  would  burn  up  the  stomach  and  lungs  as  bad  as  vitriol. 
The  people,,  generally,  however,  became  convinced  by 
tSikms  it,  that  all  the  doctors  said  about  it  was  false, 
and  It  only  proved  their  ignorance  of  its  medicinal  vir- 
tues, and  their  malignity  towards  me.  It  soon  came 
into  general  use,  and  the  knowledge  of  its  being  useful 
in  curing  disease  \yis  spread  all  through  the  country.  I 
made  use  of  it  in  curing  the  spotted  iiever,  and  where  it 
was  known,  was  the  only  thing  de'pended  on  for  that 
disease.  I  have  made  use  of  Cayenne  in  all  kinds  of 
disease,  and  have  given  it  to  patients  of  all  ages  and 
under  every  circuipstance  -  that   has   come   under   my 

iiractice;  and  can  assure  the  public,  that  it  is  perfect- 
y  harmless,  never  having  known  it  to  produce  any  bad 
effects  whatever.  It  is  no  doubt  the  most  powerful 
stimulant  known;  its  power  is  entirely  congenial  to  na- 
ture, being  powerful  only  in  raising  and  maintaining 
that  heat  on  which  life  depends.  It  is  extremely  pun- 
gent, and  when  taken,  sets  the  mouth  as  it  were  on  fire; 
this  lasts,  hovTCver,  but  a  few  minutes,  and  I  consider 
it  essentially  a  benefit,  for  its  efiects  on  the  glands  caus- 
es the  saliva  to  flow  freely,  and  leaves  the  mouth  clean 
and  moist. 

#  The  only  preparation  necessary,  is  to  have  it  ground 
or  pounded  to  a  fine  powder.  For  a  dose,  from  h^f  to 
a  tea-spoonful  may  be  taken  in  hot  water  sweetened, 
or  the  same  quantity  may  be  mixed  with  either  of  the 
other  numbers  when  taken.  It  will  produce  a  free 
poippiration,  which  should  be  kept  up  by  repeating  the 
dose,  until  the  disease  is  removed.  A  spoonful,  with 
an  equal  quantity  of  common  salt,  put  into  a  gill  of  vin- 
effar,  makes  a  very  good, sauce,  to  be  eaten  on  meat,  and 
will  assist  the  appetite  and  strengthen  the  digest ure. 
One  spoonful  of  this  preparation  may  be  taken  to  good 
advantage,  and  will  remove  faint,  sinking  feelings,  which 


m 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


63 


lich  put  a 
been  very 

lused  much 

le  adjoining 
telling  that 
e,  and  that 
d  as  vitriol, 
jnvinced  by 

was  false, 
idicinal  vir- 

soon  came 
aeing  useful 
country.  I 
ind  where  it 

on  for  that 
all  kinds  of 
all  ages  and 
;  under  n>y 
it  is  perfect- 
luce  any  bad 
ost  powerful 
jenial  to  na- 

maintaining 
;tremely  pun- 
were  on  fire; 
nd  I  consider 

glands  caus- 

mouth  clean 

ive  it  ground 
from  h^f  to 
jr  sweetened, 
either  of  the 
oducc   a  free 
repeating  the 
ipoonful,  with 
a  gili  of  vin- 
on  ment,  and 
he   digest ure. 
taken  to  good 
eelings,  which 


some  are  suhjoct  to,  especially  in  the  spring  of  the  year. 
Peppor-saiico  Is  good  for  the  same  purpose.  Atea-spoon- 
ftil  of  Cayenne  may  be  taken  in  a  tumbler  of  cider,  and 
is  much  better  than  ardent  spirits.  There  is  scarce  any 
preparation  of  medicine  that  I  make  use  of,  in  which  I 
do  not  put  lome  of  this  article.  It  will  cure  the  ague  in 
the  face,  by  taking  a  dose,  and  tying  a  small  quantity  in 
Ane  cloth,  and  put  it  between  the  cheek  and  teeth,  on 
the  side  that  k  affected,  setting  by  the  fire  covered  with 
a  blanket.     It  \»  good  to  put  on  old  sores. 

t 

RED  PEPPERS. 

These  are  very  plenty  in  this  country,  being  cuhivat* 
ed  in  gardenti,  and  are  principally  made  use  of  for  pick- 
ling; Tor  which  purpose  the  pods  are  gathered  when 
green,  and  preserved  in  vinegar.  It  is  of  the  same  na'* 
ture  m  Cayenne  pepper,  but  not  so  strong;  and  is  the 
best  substitute  for  that  article,  of  any  thing  I  have  ever 
found.  For  medical  use  they  should  not  be  gathered  till 
ripe,  when  they  are^j^  bright  red  color;  should  be 
reduced  to  d  fine  po^H|  and  may  be  used  instead  of 
Cayenne,  when  that  a^Rle  cannot  be  obtained. 


GINGER. 

This  is  a  root  which  is  brought  from  foreign  coun- 
tries, and  m  too  well  known  to  need  any  further  descrip- 
tion. It  is  a  very  good  article,  having  a  warming  and 
agreeable  etft'Ct  on  the  stomach.  It  is  a  powerful  stim- 
ulant, and  is  nit  volatile  like  many  other  hot  articles; 
and  is  the  next  best  thing  to  raise  the  inward  heat  and 
promote  perspiration;  and  may  be  used  with  good  suc- 
cess for  thnt  purpose,  as  a  substitute  for  Cayenne,  when 
that  or  the  red  peppers  cannot  be  had.  It  is  sold  in 
the  shops,  ground,  but  is  sometimes  mixed  with  other 
articles  to  increase  the  quantity,  and  is  not  so  strong. 
The  best  wny  Is  to  get  the  roots,  and  gring  or  poa|ld 
them  to  a  fine  powder.  The  dose  must  be  regulated 
according  to  circumstances;  if  given  to  raise  the  ii»> 
ternal  heat,  and  cause  perspiration,  it  must  be  repeated 
till  it  has  the  desired  effect.  It  makes  an  excellent 
poultice,  mixed  with  pounded  cracker,  or  slippery-elm 
bark,  for  which  I  make  much  use  of  it.  To  keep  a 
5* 


54 


yew  Guide  to  Health; 


piece  of  the  root  in  tho  mouth  and  chew  it  like  tobacco, 
swallowing  the  Juice,  is  very  good  for  a  cough,  and 
those  of  a  coniuinptivo  habit;  and  this  should  be  also 
done  by  all  who  nro  exposed  to  any  contagion,  or  are  at- 
tending on  the  Mick,  an  it  will  guard  the  stomach  against 
taking  the  disease.  It  may  be  taken  iu  hot  water  sweet- 
ened, or  in  a  teti  of  No.  3. 

BLACK   PEPPER. 

This  may  bo  uied  to  good  advantage  as  a  substitute 
for  the  foregoing  articles,  when  they  are  not  to  be  had, 
and  may  be  prepared  and  administered  in  the  same  man- 
ner. These  four  that  I  have  mentioned,  are  all  the  pv 
tides  I  have  been  able  to  find,  that  would  hold  the  hxn- 
of  the  body  for  any  length  of  time;  all  the  others  t!  < 
I  hav^  tried,  arc  so  volatile,  that  they  do  little  good. 
See  Directions,  page  80,. «f 


If* 


No.  3.— To 


Bcour  the  Stomach 
the  Ca 


!:hg^ 


Bowels,  and  remove 


Under  this  head,  I  shall  describe  such  vegetable  pro- 
ductions as  are  good  for  Canker,  and  which  I  have  found 
to  be  best  in  removing  the  thrush  from  the  throat,  stomach 
and  bowels,  caused  by  colds,  and  there  will  be  more  or 
less  of  it  in  all  cases  of  disease;  for  when  cold  gets 
the  power  over  the  inward  heat,  the  stomach  and  bowels 
become  coated  with  canker,  which  prevents  those  nu- 
merous little  vessels,  calculated  to  nourish  the  system, 
from  performing  their  duty.  A  cure,  therefore,  cannot 
be  effected  without  removing  this  difficulty,  which  must 
be  done  by  such  things  as  are  best  calculated  to  scour 
off  the  canker  and  leave  the  juices  flowing  free.  There 
are  many  articles  which  are  good  for  this,  but  I  shall 
Diantion  only  such  as  1  have  found  to  be  the  best. 
S^eral  things  that  are  used  for  canker,  are  too  bind- 
ittg,  and  do  more  hurt  than  good,  as  they  cause  obstruc- 
tions. I  have  adopted  a  rule  to  ascertain  what  is  good 
for  canker,  which  I  have  found  very  useful;  and  shall 
here  give  it  as  a  guide  for  others;  that  is,  to  chew 
■ome  of  the  article,  and  if  it  causes  the  saliva  to  flow 


it 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


55 


3  tobacco, 
nigh,  and 
d  be  also 
or  are  at- 
ch  against 
iter  swcet- 


i  substitute 
to  be  bad, 
same  man- 
5  all  the  r: 
)ld  the  hv  at. 
others  tl  <  i 
little  good. 


and  remove 

Tetable  pro- 
l  have  found 
oat,  stomach 
1  be  more  or 
n  cold  gets 
1  and  bowels 
Is  those  nu- 

the  system, 
sfore,  cannot 

which  must 
od  to  scour 
free.  There 
},  but  I  shall 
be  the  best, 
ire  too  bind- 
ause  obstruc- 
what  is  good 
j1;    and  shall 

is,   to  chew 
laliva  to  flow 


freely,  and  leaves  the  mouth  clean  and  moist,  it  is 
good;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  if  it  dries  up  the  juices, 
and  leaves  the  mauth  rough  and  dry,  it  is  bad,  and 
should  be  avoided. 

bayberry;  or  candleberry. 

This  is  a  species  of  the  myrtle,  from  which  wax  is 
obtained  from  the  berries,  and  grows  common  in  many 
parts  of  this  country.  It  is  a  shrub  growing  from  two 
to  four  feet  high,  and  is  easily  known  by  the  berries 
which  it  produces  annually,  containing  wax  in  abund- 
ance; these  grow  on  the  branches  close  to  them,  similar 
to  the  juniper;  the  leaves  are  of  a  deep  green.  The 
bark  of  the  roots  is  what  is  used  for  medicine,  and  should 
be  collected  in  the  spring,  before  it  puts  forth  its  leaves, 
or  in  the  fall,  after  done  growing,  ad  then  the  sap  is  in 
the  roots;  this  should  be  a^nded  to  in  gathering  all 
kinds  of  medicinal  roots^  but  those  things  that  the  tops 
are  used,  should  be  collected  in  the  summer  when  near- 
ly full  grovm,  as  then,  the  sap  is  in  the  top.  The  roots 
should  be  dug  and  cyiBd  from  the  dirt,  and  pounded 
with  a  mallet  or  cluh^^^Rien  the  bark  is  easily  separated 
from  the  stalk,  and  may  be  obtained  with  little  trouble. 
It  should  be  dried  in  a  chamber  or  loft,  where  it  is  not 
exposed  to  the  weather;  and  when  perfectly  dry,  should 
be  ground  or  pounded  to  a  fine  powder.  It  is  an  ex- 
cellent medicine,  either  taken  by  itself  or  compounded 
with  other  articles;  and  is  the  best  thing  for  canker  of 
any  article  I  have  ever  found.  It  is  highly  stimulating 
and  very  pungent,  pricking  the  glands  and  causing  the 
eajiva  and  other  juices  to  flow  freely.  Is  good  used  as 
tooth  powder,  cleanses  the  teeth  and  gums,  and  removes 
the  scurvy;  takea  as  snufF,  it  clears  the  head  and  re- 
lieves the  head-ache.  It  may  be  given  to  advantage  in 
a  relax,  and  all  disorders  of  the  bowels.  When  the  stom- 
ach is  very  foul,  it  will  frequently  operate  as  an  em^c. 
For  a  dose,  take  a  tea-spoonful  in  hot  water,  sweetened. 

WHITE    POND    LIIY — the  Root. 

This  is  well  known  from  the  beautiful  flower  which 
it  bears,  open.lng  only  to  the  sun,  and  closing  again  at 


56 


Aeio  Guide  to  Health ; 


7 


night.  It  grows  in  fresh  water. ponds,  and  is  common  in 
all  parts  of  this  country  where  I  have  been.  The  belt 
time  to  gather  it,  is  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  when  dry, 
and  the  water  in  the  ponds  is  low,  as  it  may  then  be  ob- 
tained with  little  difficulty.  It  has  large  roots,  which 
should  be  dug,  washed  clean,  split  into  strips,  and  dried 
as  has  been  directed  for  the  Bay  berry  root  bark.  When 
perfectly  dry,  it  should  be  pounded  in  a  mortnr,  and  pre- 
served for  use.  This  article  is  a  very  good  medicine  for 
canker,  and  all  complaints  of  the  bowels,  given  in  a  tea 
alone,  or  mixed  with  other  articles. 

HEMLOCK — the  inner  Bark.  * 

This  is  the  common  Hemlock  tree,  and  grows  in  all 
parts  of  New  England.  The  best  for  medicine  is  to 
peel  the  bark  from  the  young  tree,  and  shave  the  rois 
from  the  outside,  and  preserve  only  the  inner  rind;  dry 
it  carefully,  and  pound  or  grind  it  to  a  powder.  This 
article,  with  some  further  remarks  upon  it,  has  been  re- 
tained in  all  former  editions  of  this  work;  but  it  has  been 
found  by  long  practice  that  it  isJjLtoo  drying  a  nature, 
operating  too  much  as  an  astringent.  I  have,  therefore, 
wholly  laid  it  aside,  and  would  not  recommend  it  to  be 
used  as  medicine,  when  any  of  the  other  articles  recom- 
mended for  the  same  purpose  can  be  obtained.  This, 
with  Bayberry  bark  and  the  Lily  root,  I  formerly  u»C(l 
in  No.  3,  or  what  has  been  ccmmonly  called  coffee, 
though  many  other  things  may  be  added,  or  either  of  them 
may  be  used  to  advantage  alone.  The  bought^,  mode  in- 
to a  tea,  are  very  good  ibr  gravel  and  other  obstructions 
of  the  urinary  passages,  and  for  rheumatism. 

MARSH   ROSEMARY the  Root, 

This  article  is  very  well  known  in  all  parts  of  this 
country,  and  has  been  made  use  of  for  canker  and  sore 
mouth.  I  have  made  use  of  it  with  Bayberry  bnrk  as 
No.  3,  in  my  practice,  for  many  years,  with  good  suc- 
cess; but  after  finding  that  the  Lily,  root  was  belter, 
have  mostly  laid  it  aside.  It  is  so  binding  in  its  na- 
ture, that  it  is  not  safe  to  use  it  witho.ut  a  large  proper* 
tion  of  the  Bayberry  bark. 


or^  Botanic  Family  Phyaidan. 


67 


SUMACH — ike  Bark,  Leaoea  and  Berries. 

This  appears  to  be  a  new  article  in  medicine,  entirely 
unknown  to  the  medical  faculty,  as  no  mention  is  made 
of  it  by  any  author.  The  first  of  my  knowledge  that  it 
was  g'>od  for  canker,  was  when  at  Onion  River  in  1807, 
attending  the  dysentery;  being  in  want  of  something  to 
clear  theastomash  and  bowels  in  that  complaint,  found 
that  the  bark,  leaves  or  berries  answered  the  purpose 
extremely  well,  and  have  made  much  use  of  it  ever 
since.  It  is  well  kn:)wn,  and  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the 
country ;  some  of  it  grows  from  eight  to  twelve  feet  hign, 
and  has  large  spreading  branches;  the  berries  grow  in 
large  bu.iches,  and  when  ripe,  are  a  deep  red  color,  of 
a  pleasant  sour  taste;  and  are  used  by  the  country  peo- 
ple to  die  with.  The  leaves  and  young  sprouts  are  made 
use  of  in  tanning  morocco  leather.  For  medicine,  the 
bark  should  be  peeled  when  full  of  sap,  the  leaves,  when 
full  grown,  and  the  berries,  when  ripe ;  they  should  be 
carefully  dried,  and  when  used  as  part  of  No.  3,  should 
be  pounded,  and  maylfpjsed  altogether,  or  either  sepa- 
rate. A  tea  made  of  either  or  altogether,  is  very  good, 
and  may  be  given  with  safety  in  a'most  all  complaints, 
or  put  into  the  injections.  It  will  scour  the  stomach  and 
bowels,  and  is  good  for  strangury,  as  it  promotes  urine 
and  relieves  diffi  .'.ulties  in  the  kidneys,  by  removing  ob- 
structions and  strengthening  those  parts.  I  have  been 
in  the  habit,  of  late  years,  of  making  use  of  this  article 
with  Bayherry  bark  and  Lily  root,  equal  parts,  for  No. 
3,  or  coffee,  and  it  has  always  answered  a  good  purpose. 
But  the  Bayherry  is  sufiisient  of  itself;  but  if  the  Bay- 
berry  cannot  do  had,  the  other  articles  may  be  used,  ei- 
Iher  simple  or  compounded. 

wiTCH-HAZLE — ike  Leuves. 

I  found  the  use  of  this  article  as  medicine,  when  I 
was  quite  young;  and  have  made  much  use  of  it  in  all 
my  practice.  It  is  too  well  known  in  the  country  to 
need  any  description;  is  a  small  tree  or  bush,  and  grows 
very  common,  especially  in  new  land.  A  tea  made  of 
the  leaves,  is  an  excellent  medicine  in  many  complaints. 


58 


JV«t0  Guide  to  Heallh; 


.!» 


!   f 


and  may  be  freely  used  to  advantage.  It  is  the  best 
thing  for  bleeding  at  the  stomach,  of  any  article  I  have 
evei*  found,  either  by  giving  a  tea  mado  of  the  dry  leaves, 
or  chewing  them  when  green;  have  cured  several  witii 
it.  This  complaint  is  caused  by  canker  eating  off  the 
small  blood-vessels,  and  this  medicine  will  remove  the 
canker  and  stop  the  bleeding.  I  have  made  much  ube 
of  the  tea,  made  strong  for  injections,  and  found  it  iu  all 
complaints  of  the  bowels,  to  be  very  serviceable.  An 
injection  made  of  tliis  tea,  with  a  little  of  No.  !2,  is  good 
for  the  piles,  and  many  complaints  common  to  females; 
and  in  bearing-down  pains  it  will  afford  immediate  relief, 
if  properly  administered.  These  leaves  may  b^:used  in 
No.  3,  to  good  advantage,  as  a  substitute  for  either  of 
the  other  articles,  or  alone  for  the  same  purpose. 

BED-RASPBERRY — the  Leaves. 

This  is  an  excellent  article,  and  I  believe  was  never 
made  use  of  as  medicine,  till  discovered  by  me.  When 
at  Eastport,  I  had  no  article  with  me  good  for  canker, 
and  resorted  to  my  old  rule  of  Hating,  and  found  that 
these  leaves  were  good  for  that  complaint ;  made  into  a 
strong  tea,  it  answered  every  purpose  wished.  I  gath- 
ered a  large  quantity  of  the  leaves,  and  dried  them,  and 
have  been  in  constant  use  of  it  as  a  medicine  ever  since, 
and  have  found  it  an  excellent  article,  both  for  canker 
and  many  othei  complaints;  for  relax  and  other  bowel 
complaints  of  children,  it  is  the  best  thing  that  I  have 
found;  by  giving  the  tea  and  using  it  in  the  injections, 
it  afibrds  immediate  relief.  A  tea  made  of  the  leaves 
sweetened,  with  milk  in  it,  is  very  pleasant,  and  may  be 
used  freely.  It  is  the  best  thing  for  women  in  travail, 
of  any  article  I  know  of.  Give  a  strong  tea  of  it,  with 
a  little  of  No.  2,  sweetened,  and  it  will  regulate  every 
thing  as  nature  requires.  If  the  pains  are  untimely,  it 
will  make  all  quiet;  if  timely  and  lingering,  give  more 
No.  2,  and  Umbil  in  the  tea.  When  the  child  is  born, 
give  it  some  of  the  tea  with  sugar  and  milk  in  it;  this 
prevents  sore  mouth ;  and  the  tea  is  good  to  wash  sore 
nipples  with.  A  poultice  made  with  this  tea  and  crack- 
"  er,  or  slippery  elm  bark,  is  very  good  for  burns  or 


the 
bile 


4: 


or,  Botanic  Family  Pliyncian. 


is  the  best 
iclo  1  have 
dry  leaves, 
Bveral  witli 
ing  off  the 
remove  the 
e  much  u6e 
und  it  ui  all 
leable.     An 
>.  i>,  is  good 
to  females; 
;diate  relief, 
f  boused  in 
for  either  of 
pose. 


B  was  never 
me.    When 
1  for  canker, 
d  found  that 
made  into  a 
led.     I  gatb- 
ed  them,  and 
le  ever  since, 
h  for  canker 
other  bowel 
g  that  I  have 
le  injections, 
of  the  leaves 
t,  and  may  be 
en  in  travail, 
ea  of  it,  with 
jgulate  every 
e  untimely,  it 
ig,  give  more 
child  is  born, 
nilk  in  it;  this 
to  wash  sore 
ca  and  crack- 
for  burns  or 


fcalds;  if  the  skin  is  off,  by  applying  this  poultice  or 
washing  with  the  tea,  it  will  harden  and  stop  smarting. 
It  may  be  used  in  No.  3,  as  a  substitute  for  otbcr  arti- 
cles, or  alone,  to  good  effect. 

S(iUAW-w£ED — Indian  name  Cocash. 

This  is  known  in  the  country  by  the  name  of  frost- 
weed,  or  meadow-scabish;  it  is  a  wild  weed,  and  grows 
in  wet  land,  by  the  sides  of  brooks;  it  has  a  stalk  that 
grows  four  or  five  feet  high,  which  is  rough  and  woolly, 
with  a  narrow  leaf;  and  bears  a  blue  blossom  late  in 
the  fall,  which  remains  tilf  the  frost  kills  it.  The  root 
lives  through  the  winter,  and  in  the  spring  puts  forth 
a  new  stalk;  the  leaves  at  the  bottom  remain  green 
through  the  winter.  The  roots  and  top  are  used  for 
medicine;  it  has  a  fragrant  taste  and  smell  like  lovage. 
It  was  the  tirst  thing  I  ever  knew  used  for  canker,  and 
was  given  to  me  when  I  had  the  canker-rash,  being  con- 
sidered then  the  beert  article  known  for  canker ;  I  have 
frequently  used  it  for  that  complaint,  and  found  it  very 
good.  Take  the  greem^oots  and  leaves,  bruise  them, 
and  pour  on  hot  water;  give  this  tea,  sweetened.  It 
may  be  kept  by  adding  a  tittle  spirit,  and  is  good  for 
rheumatism  and  nervous  aflfections.  It  is  perfectly  harm- 
less and  may  be  used  freely.  It  makes  a  very  good  bit- 
ter, tinctured  with  hot  water  and  spirit,  and  is  good  for 
dizziness  and  cold  hands  and  feet.  See  Directions,  Slc, 
page  80. 


No\   4. — Bitters,   to  correct  the  fli/e,   and  restore  Di- 

gestion. 

BITTER  HERB,   or  BALMONT. 

This  herb  grows  in  wet  mowing  land,  by  the  side  of 
brooks;  it  is  about  the  size  of  mint,  the  leaves  some 
larger;  the  stalk  is  four  square;  the  leaves  are  of  a 
dark  green,  of  a  sweetish  bitter  taste.  I(  bears  a  white 
blossom  of  singular  form,  resembling  a  snake's  head  with 
the  mouth  open.  This  herb  is  very  good  to  correct  the 
bile,  and  create  an  appetite.    A  tea  of  it  may  be  used 


m 


60 


JV«t0  Guide  to  Health; 


alone,  or  it  may  be  added  to  the  other  articles  described 
under  this  numbetr,  which  are  all  ealculated  to  restore 
the  digestive  powers. 


POPLAR   BARK. 


'^■ 


^'  There  are  several  species  of  the  poplar  tree,  that 
grow  conainon  in  this  country.  One  kind  is  called  the 
white  poplar,  and  another  stinking  poplar;  the  bark  of 
both  these  kinds  are  good  for  medicine ;  but  the  latter 
is  the  best,  being  the  roost  bitter.  It  has  tags  hanging 
on  the  limbs,  which  remain  on  till  it  leaves  out,  which 
is  about  a  week  later  than  the,  other  kind.  It  f](as  short 
brittle  twigs,  which  are  extremely  bitter  to  the  taste. 
The  inner  bark,  given  in  tea,  is  one  of  the  best  articles 
to  regulate  the  bile  and  restore  the  digestive  powers,  of 
any  thing  I  have  ever  used.  The  bark  may  be  taken 
from  the  body  of  the  t**ee,  the  limbs' or  the  roots,  and  the 
outside  43haved  off  and  preserve  the  inner  bark,  which 
should  be  dried  and  carefully  preserved  for  use.  To 
make  the  bitters,  No.  4,  it  shouVd  be  pounded  or  groun J 
fine,  and  mixed  with  the  other  articles,  or  it  may  be  used 
alone  for  the  same  purpose.  To  make  a  tea,  take^a  hand- 
ful of  the  bark  pounded  or  cut  into  small  strips,  and  put 
into  «^  quart  mug,  and  fill  it  with  boiling  water,  which  if 
taken  freely  will  relieve  a  relax,  head-ache,  faintness  at 
the  stomach,  and  many  other  complaints  caused  by  bad 
digestion.  It  good  for  obstructions  of  the  urine,  and 
weakness  in  the  loins;  and  those  of  a  consumptive  habit 
will  find  great  relief  in  using  this  tea  freely. 

BARBERRY — the  Bark, 

This  is  a  well  knovm  shrub,  produ(;ing  red  benies,  of 
a  pleasant  sour  taste,  which  are  much  used  as  a  pickle, 
and  are  also  preserved  with  sugar  or  molasses.  The 
bark  of  the  root  or  top  is  a  good  bitter,  and  useful  to  cor- 
rect the  bile,  and  assist  the  digesture.  The  bark  should 
be  collect<ed  at  the  proper  season,  darefully  dried  wid 
pounded  or  ground  to  fine  powder;  and  is  used  as  a  part 
of  the  bitters,  No.  4.  A  tea  made  of  this  bark  is  verr 
good  for  all  cases  of  indigestion,  and  may  be  freely  used. 


* 


ti 


',*SI 


^  or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


61 


8  described 
i  to  restore 


■  tree,   that 
a  called  the 
the  bark  of 
ut  the  latter 
igs  hanging 
I  out,  which 
It  f<aH  short 
to  the  taste, 
best  articles 
e  powers,  of 
nay  be  taken 
oots,  and  the 
iiark,  which 
for  use.    To 
led  or  grounl 
t  may  be  used 
,  take^ahand- 
lrips,  and  put 
iter,  which  if 
>,  faintness  at 
aused  by  bad 
le  urine,  and 
umptive  habit 
r. 


red  berries,  of 
>d  as  a  pickle, 
olasses.  The 
1  useful  to  cor- 
i«  bark  should 
jlly  dried  and 
used  as  a  part 
8  bark  is  veiT 
be  freely  used. 


BITTER-ltOOTy  OT  WANDERINO    r.IILK-WEED. 

This  valuable  vegetable  grows  in  meadows  and  in 
hedges,  and  in  appearance  is  something  like  buckwheat, 
having  similar  white  blossoms;  when  the  stalk  is  broken 
it  discliargcs  a  milky  substance;  it  has  two  small  pods, 
about  the  size  of  the  cabbage  seed  pods,  with  a  siMiy 
substance.  This  herb  is  wandering,  that  is,  the  roots 
run  about  under  ground  to  a  considerable  distance  and 
produce  inai^  stalks,  which  grow  up  from  different  parts 
of  the  root  to  the  hei  ;at  of  about  two  feet.  Th;^  kind 
that  is  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  wandering 
milk-weed,  grows  only  on  opi^^nd;  there  is  another  kind 
which  grows  near  rivers  and  on  ia!?nds,  where  high  wa^ 
ter  floyys  over  it;  this  ditfers  some  from  tiit>  othui  in  appear- 
ance; the  roots  run  deep  in  the  sand;  it  has  leaves  and 
pods  like  the  first,  and  both  ar«i  good  for  medicine.  The 
bark  of  the  root  is  used.  The  roots  should  be  dug  and 
dried;  and  when  perfectly  dry,  may  be  pounded  in  a 
mortar,  when  the  bark  is  easily  separated  from  the  woody 
part.  This  root  is  very  bitter,  and  is  one  of  the  greatest 
correctors  of*  the  bile  I  know  of;  and  is  an  excellent 
medicine  to  remove  costiveness,  as  it  will  cause  the  bow- 
els to  miive  in  a  natural  manner.  A  strong  decoction  of 
this  root,  made  by  steeping  it  in  hot  water,  if  dri|||||(  free- 
ly, will  operate  as  a  cathartic,  and  sometimes  as  ab  emet- 
ic; and  is  mjst  sure  to  throw  off  a  fever  in  its  first  stages. 
It  should  be  used  Li  ail  cases  of  costiveiHss. 


GOLDEN 


seal; 


OTf   OHIO   EERCUMA — the  Root. 


■^■ 


This  'article  grows  only  in  the  Western  country;  I 
am  not  well  enough  acquainted  with  the  herb,  to  give 
a  description  of  it;  but  of  the  medical  virtues  of  the 
root,  I  have  had  a  sufficient  experience,  to  recq^imend 
it  as  a  very  pleasant  bitter,  and  in  cases  where  the  food 
in  the  stomach  of  weak  patients  causes  distress,  a  iea- 
spoonful  of  the  pqwder,  given  in  hot  water,  sweetened, 
will  give  immediate  relief.  It  is  an  excellent  corrector 
of  the  bile,  and  may  be  used  for  that  piirpose  alone,  or 
6 

•% ' 


:im 


m  ^  JV«i0  Guide  to  HtaUh; 

with  the  bittw  root,  or  may  be  comgoun^ed  with  either 
or  all  the  articles  df  scribed  under  this  numlifer,  to  restore 
the  digestive  poweni.    See  Directions,  Slc.  Mge  02. 


* 


The  purposes  for  tvhich  the  articles  described  under 
tMi  bead  are  used,  is  to  regulate  the  stomach,  so  that 
the  food  taken  into  it,  may  be  properly  disested  \  and  I 
have  mentioned  enough  to  enable  those  ivho  make  usa 
of  the  practice  to  effect  that  object,  if  properly  attended 
to.  Tms  is  a  very  important  part  of  the  system  of  prac- 
tice, tot  unless  the  food  is  digested,  it  is  impoifible  to 
keep  up  that  heat  upon  which  life  depends.        \\ 


No.  5. — Sfmp  for  the  Dysenterg^  ia  strengthen  ihs  Stom^ 
aeh  and  Bowels^  and  restore  weak  patients. 

The  articles  used  in  this  preparation,  are  the  bark  of 
poplar  and  bayberry,  which  have  been  described,  peach- 
meats,  or  meats  of  cherry-stones,  sugar  and  brandy. 

PEACH-MEATS.  *  . 

Thfijneats  that  are  in  the  peach  stones  have  long  been 
uaed  tis  medicine,  and  need  but  little  to  be  saiaabout 
them,  except  that  they  arc  of  great  value  to  strengthen 
the  stomach  f^i  bowels,  and  restore  the  digesture;  for 
which  purposb  i  have  made  much  use  of  them,  and  al- 
ways to  good  advantage.  Made  into  a  cordial  with  oth- 
er articles,  in  the  manner  as  will  be  hereafter  directed^ 
forms  one  of  the  best  remedies  I  know  of,  to  redover  the 
natural  tone  of  the  stomach  afler  long  sickness;  and  to 
restore  weak  patients,  particularly  in  dysentery.  A  tea 
made  of  the  leaves  of  the  peach-tree  is  very  good  for 
bowel  complaints  in  children  and  young  people,  and  wiU 
remdf  e  cholic. 

chbrrt-stoneS. 

The  meats  of  the  wild  cherry  stonos  are  very  good, 
and  may  be  used  instead  of  the  p^ach-zneats,  when  the/ 


R 

oil 


m 


or,  Botamc  Fmuly  Phyiicuillf^ 


6S 


fiih  either 
,  to  reitort 


ibed  under 
:h,  10  thnt 
kted',  ftnd  I 
make  uie 
ly  attended 
em  of  prac- 
ipoiuble  to 


en  th€  Stom' 

ient§, 

I  the  bark  of 
ibed,  peaoh- 
brandy. 

ve  long  been 
»e  laidabout 
o  ■trengthen 
igeeture:  for 
lem,  and  al- 
lial  with  oth- 
ter  directed, 
)  redover  the 
new;  and  to 
itery.  A  tea 
erv  good  for 
Qple,  and  will 


re  very  good, 
te,  when  they 


cannot  be  had.  Get  these  ^ones  as  cle|j|^ja8  possible, 
when  well  d|ied,  poiind  them  in  a  roortar,  and  separate 
the  meats  from  the  stones,  which  is  done  with  little  trou- 
ble; take  the  same  quantity  aa  is  directed,  of  the  peach- 
meats,  and  it  will  answer  equally  as  well.  A  tea  made 
of  the  cherries,  pounded  with  the  stones,  and  steeped  in 
hot  water,  sweetened  with  loaf  sugar,  to  which  add  a 
little  brandy,  is  good  to  restore  the  digestive  powers,  i||0 
create  an  appetite. 
Bitter  almonds  may  be  used  as  a  substitute  for  the 

goach-meats%'  chefty-stones,  when  they  cannot  be  had. 
«e  Directions,  &c.  page  82. 


No,  6. — Rhettmaiie  Drops^  lo  remove  pain,  prevent  mor- 
iification,  and  promote  a  naiwral  heat. 

The  principal  articles  used  in  this  preparation,  are 
high  wines,  or  fourth  proof  brandj^,  gum  myrrh  and  Cay- 
enne; for  external  application,  spirits  of  turpentine  is 
added,  and  sometimes  sum  camphor.  The  manner  of 
preparing  will  be  hereafter  given. 

ODM  MTRRH. 

This  is  a  gum,  obtained  from  a  tree  which  grows  in 
the  East  Indies,  and  is  brought  to  this  country  and  sold 
by  thcMApothecaries  for  medicinal  uses.  There  is  no- 
thing sold  by  them  that  possesses  more  useful  and  medi- 
cinal properties  than  this  article ;  though  the  Doctors 
eeem  to  have  but  little  knowledge  of  its  virtues.  All 
those  whom  I  have  heard  express  an  opinion  upon  it, 
consider  it  of  very  little  value.  When  I  obtained  my 
patent.  Dr.  Thornton,  the  clerk  of  the  Patent  Office, 
said  it  was  good  for  nothing;'  all  this,  however,  does 
not  lessen  its  value.  The  first  knowledge  I  had  of  it, 
was  when  I  was  laid  up  with  my  lame  ancl#,  at  Onion 
River,  as  has  been  before  related  in  my  narrative.  Aa 
old  man  from  Canada,  passing  that  way,  and  he>^rinff 
of  my  case,  called  to  see  me,  and  observing-  the  putrid 


t 


64 


^ 


™, 


AVte  aHideUo  Heatth; 


atate  I  waiTllI,  told  my  (kther  that  gum  myrrh  wouM 
be  good  for  me,  a|  it  was  ail  excellent' amclo  to  pre- 
vent mortification.  He  immediately  obtuin||d  some  of 
the  tincture,  and  not  having  a  syringe,  he  took  -some 
in  his  mouth,  and  squirted  it  through  a  qnill  into  the 
wound;  the  smarting  was  severe  for  a  short  time.  By 
tHting  it  himself,  and  finding  it  a  pleasant  bitter,  he 
gave  me  some  to  take;  by  using  it  there  was  n  favora- 
ble alteration,  both  in  my  bodily  henlth,  and  in  the 
state  of  my  wound.  After  this,  (n-had  areut  faith  in 
this  article,  and  was  seldom  without  it.  When  I  came 
to  have  a  family,  I  made  much  use  of  myrrh;  it  was 
one  df  the  principal  articles  used  in  restoring  my  wife, 
when  given  over  by  the  mid-wife,  as  related  in  my  nar- 
rative. In  several  cases  of  bad  wounds  and  old  sores, 
it  afforded  ereat  relief;  and  in  what  the  doctors  call 
worm  complaints  in  childr,?n,  by  giving  the  tincture, 
when  such  symptoms  appeared,  it  removed  them.  I 
used  it  at  this  time,  by  making  a  tincture  with  spirit; 
but  after  having  a  knowledge  of  Cayenne,  I  put  some  of 
this  with  it,  which  made  it  much  better.  1  found  out  by 
accident,  that  boiling  it  would  prevent  the  fumes  of  the 
spirit  from  rising  to  the  head,  which  would  otherwise,  in 
some  c  ases  produce  bad  effects,  particularly  in  such  as 
were  subject  to  hysterical  ejection.  This  was  the  origin 
of  my  rheumatic  drops,  a  preparation  which  has  proved 
more  generally  useful  than  any  one  compound  I  make 
use  of.  In  selecting  myrrh  for  use,  take  that  of  a  light 
brown  color,  somewhat  transparent,  and.of  a  bit^  taste, 
a  little  pungent.  It  should  be  reduced  to  a  fine  powder, 
by  being  pounded  in  a  mortar,  before  used. 


SPIRIT    OF   TURPENTINE. 

This  article  is  too  well  known  to  need  any  description, 
being  used  by  painters.  The  only  way  in  which  I  use 
it,  is  in  su<||fa  preparations  as  are  intended  for  external 
application,  in  which  I  have  found  it  useful.  A  propor- 
tion of  it  should  be  added  to  the  rheumatic  drops,  when 
used  for  the  i  ch  or  other  bad  humops.  It  is  a  powerful 
article,  and  should  be  used  with  caution. 


«  ■».  '■ 


Off  Bolanic  Famly  Phytician. 


w 


Kyrrh  urouM 
cie  to  pre- 
i|jil   some  01 

5    took    -801110 

uill  into  the 
ri  time.    By 
nt  bitter,  he 
was  n  I'uvora- 
and  in  the 
ireat  faith  in 
?hen  I  came 
lynh;   it  was 
ing  my  wife, 
ed  in  my  nar- 
nd  old  sores, 
)  doctors  call 
the  tincture, 
ved  them.     I 
e  with  spirit; 
I  put  some  of 
[  found  out  by 
!  fumes  of  the 
1  otherwise,  in 
irly  in  such  as 
was  the  origin 
ich  has  proved 
pound  I  make 
that  of  a  light 
f  a  biti»  taste, 
a  fine  powder, 
d. 


iny  description, 
in  which  I  use 
;d  for  external 
ful.  A  propor- 
tic  drops,  when 
It  is  a  powerful 


€'*'« 


UM    CAMPHOR, 


I  shall  say  but  little  about  this  article,  as  I  never 
found  any  very  great  advantages  from  its  use,  though  I 
never  knew  it  to  do  any  harm.  It  is  made  much  use 
of,  and  I  think  there  is  m'>re  credit  given  to  it  than 
what  it  deserves.  I  have  been  in  the  habit  r^  addinff 
some  of  it  to  the  rhcumiitic  dr  <ps,  when  used  for  baa 
sprains,  and  in  such  cases  hnvs  found  it  usefui;  and  I 
have  no  dwtht  but  that  it  ma)  be  s  vmeti  nes  given  to 
advarrtage  to  warm  the  stomach,  an^  reli  ve  pain;  but 
there  are  other  articles  which  t  make  use  of  for  tin  t 
purpose,  that  are  much  better.  See  Dircctior  ^  &c., 
page  83, 


NERVE    POWDER, 

Amgrican  Valerian,  or  Ladies*  Slipper;  Bometimes  called 
Vmbil,  or  Male  and  Female  ,^ervine. 

There  are  four  species  of  this  valuabie  vegetable,  one 
male  and  three  female;  the  male  is  called  yellow  umbil, 
and  grows  in  swamps  and  (^et  land;  has  a  large  cluster 
of  fibrous  roots  matted  together,  joined  to  a  solid  root,'^^ 
which  puts  forth  several  stalks  that  grow  about  two  feet  . 
high;  It  has  leaves  something  resembling  the  poke  leaf. 
The  female  kinds  are  di-ti<?jruished  by  the  color  of 
the  blossoms,  which  are  reii,  red  and  white,  and  white. 
The  red  has  but  two  leaves,  which  grow  out  of  the 
ground,  and  lean  over  to  the  right  and  left,  between 
which  a  single  stalk  ihoots  up  to  the  height  of  from 
eight  to  ten  mchi.s,  bearing  on  its  top  a  red  blossom  of 
a  very  singular  form,  that  gives  it  the  name  of  feniale 
umbil.  This  kind  is  found  on  high  ledges,  and  in 
swamps.  Th^ed  and  white,  and  white  umbjl,  grows 
only  in  swamps,  and  is  in  larger  clusters  of  roots,  than 
the  yellow,  but  in  a  similar  form;  its  top  is  similar  tO 
the  red,  except  the  color  of  the  blossom.  The  yello# 
and  red  are  the  best  forimedicine;  the  roots  should  bo 
dug  in  the  fall,  when  done  growing,  or  in  the  spring,  bjBv 
,6  *  . 


66 


JVeio  Gttide  io  Health; 


m' 


fore  the  top  puts  forth.  If  dug  when  gro\viii|,  the  roots 
will  nearly  all  dry  up.  When  the  roots  aw  dug,  they 
should  be  washed  clean,  carefully  dried,  and  pounded  or 
ground  to  a  fine  powder,  sifted  through  a  fine  sieve,  and 
preserved  from  the  air  for  use. 
This  powder  is  the  best  nervine  known ;  I  have  made 

8 refit  use  of  it,  and  have  always  found  it  to  produce 
le  most  beneficial  efif'ects,  in  all  ciises  of  nervous  af^ 
fection,  and  in  hysterical  symptoms;  in  fact,  it  wpiild 
be  difficult  to  get  along  with  my  proeticc  u  many  cases 
without  this  important  article.  It  is  perfectly  harmless, 
and  may  be  used  in  all  cases  of  disease  with  s^f^t^ ;  and 
if  much  better  than  opium,  which  is  generally  gjivcn  in 
oases  of  spasmodic  affection,  and  which  only  ^^C|dcns 
the  feelings,  and  relieves  pain  only  by  destroying  seni* 
•ibtlity,  without  doing  any  good.  It  has  been  supposed 
by  the  doctors  to  be  of  a  narcotic  nature;  but  this  is  a 
mistake.  They  have  drawn  this  conclusion,  I  suppose, 
from  its  tendency  to  promote  sleep;  but  this  is  alto>' 
gether  owing  to  its  quieting  the  nerves,  and  leaving'  the 
patient  at  ease,  when  nature  requires  sleep  to  recover 
the  natural  tone  of  the  system.  Half  a  tea-spoonful 
may  be  given  in  hot  water,  sweetened,  and  the  dose  i-(e» 
peated,  if  necessary;  or  the  same  quantity  may  be  mix- 
Jid  with  a  dose  of  either  the  other  numbers,  when  given, 
md  put  into  the  injections;  and  where  there  is  nervous 
'iymptoms,  it  should  never  be  dispensed  with.  See  Ui* 
recttons,  &c.,  page  83. 


I  have  thus  far  given  a  description  of  all  the  impor- 
tant vegetables  made  use  of  in  my  system  of  practice, 
with  the  manner  of  preparing  and  using  them.  I  shall 
now  proceed  to  describe  a  number  of  articles  of  less 
importance,  all  of  which  I  have  used  and  found  good 
in  various  complaints.  Some  of  them  foipti  a  part  of  my 
medical  preparations,  and  many  others  may  be  used  as 
ilbstitutes  for  some  that  have  been  mentioned.  They 
are  all  of  a  warming  nature,  and  may  be  used  to  advan- 
tage in  throwing  off  disease  in  its  first  stages. 


or.  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


67 


\  roots 

ded  or 
e,  and 

made 
reduce 
)us  af- 

wpiild 
f  cases 

rmless, 

y;  and 

^ven  in 

leadens 

ig  'sen- 

ipposed 

this  is  a 

upppse, 

is  alto^ 

^ingthe 

recover 


ose  t-ie" 
le  mix- 
given, 
nervous 
3ee  Di' 


impor- 
)ractice, 
I  shall 
of  less 
nd  good 
rt  of  my 
used  as 
,  They 
>  advan- 


SPEARMINT. 

This  is  a  well  known  herb,  and  makes  a  very  pleas- 
ant tea,  whiuii  may  be  freely  used  in  sickness.  The 
most  valunble  property  it  possesses,  is  to  stop  vomit- 
ing, If  the  Emetic  Herb,  or  any  other  cause  should 
produce  violent  vomiting,  by  giving  a  strong  tea  made 
of  this  herb,  it  will  stop  it,  and  sit  pleasantly  on  the 
stomach. 

PEPPERMINT. 

This  article  is  very  hot  in  its  nature,  and  may  be 
used  to  advantage  to  promote  perspiration  and  overpower 
the  cold,  I  have  frequently  used  it  for  that  purpose 
with  success;  but  it  is  volatile,  and  will  not  retain  the 
heat  long  in  the  stomach.  In  colds  and  slight  attacks  of 
diseane,  to  drink  freely  of  a  tea  made  of  this  herb  on 
goijig  to  bed,  will  throw  it  off.  The  essence,  put  in 
warm  water,  is  good  to  give  children,  arid  will  relieve 
pain  in  the  stomach  and  l^owels.  A  few  drops  of  the 
oil,  given  in»warm  water,  or  on  loaf  sugar,  is  good  for 
the  same  purpose. 

PENNYROYAL. 

This  herb  grows  common  in  all  parts  of  the  country, 
and  is  too  well  known  to  need  any  description.  It  is 
an  article  of  great  value  in  medicine,  and  a  tea  of  it  may 
be  freely  used  in  all  cases  of  sickness.  It  is  good  for 
the  stomach,  being  warming  and  cleansing;  if  drank 
freely,  will  produce  perspiration,  and  remove  obstruc- 
tions. In  colds  and  slight  attacks  of  disease,  it  will  be 
likely  to  throw  it  otT,  and  prevent  sickness.  It  is  very 
good  for  children,  and  will  remove  pain  in  the  bowels 
and  wind,  Iti  going  through  a  course  of  medicine,  a 
tea  of  this  herb  may  be  giren  for  drink,  and  will  cause 
(he  medicine  to  have  a  pleasant  operation. 

% 

SUMMERSAVORY. 

This  herb  grows  in  gardens,  and  is  made  use  of  to 
season  meats  m  cooking;  it  is  of  d  very  pleasant  flavor, 
and  of  a  hot  nature.    A  tea  of  it  is  good  for  colds,  and 


68 


JVeto  Ouide  to  Health; 


may  be  used  irealy  in  case  of  sickness.  There  is  an 
oil  made  from  thiii  nerb,  which  will  cure  (he  tooth-ache, 
by  putting  a  little  on  cotton  wool,  and  applying  it  to  the 
affected  tooth. 

IIOARHOUND. 

This  plant  grows  common  in  this  country,  and  is 
made  much  account  of  in  removing  cough.  An  in- 
fusion made  of  the  leaves,  sweetened  with  honey,  is 
good  for  the  asthma,  and  all  complaints  of  the  lungs. 
The  syrup  of  this  plant  will  loosen  tough  phlegm,  and 
remove  hoarseness  caused  by  a  bad  cold.  The  hoar- 
hound  candy  is  very  useful  for  such  as  are  troUl^led  with 
cough,  particularly  old  people,  and  those  that  are  short 
winded. 

ELECAMPANE. 

The  root  of  this  plant,  made  into  syrup,  is  good  for  a 
cough ;  and  I  have  made  use  of  it  for  that  purpose  with 
advantage  in  many  cases,  and  can  recommend  it  as  a 
safe  and  useful  remedy  in  complaints  of  that  kind. 


MAYWEED. 


A  tea  made  of  this  herb;  to  be  drank  hot  when  going 
to  bed,  is  very  good  for  a  cold;  and  in,slight  attacks  of 
a  fever,  if  usoa  freely,  and  a  hot  stone  put  to  the  feet, 
will  in  most  coses  throw  it  off.  It  grows  common  in  old 
fields,  and  by  the  sides  of  roads. 


VrORMWOOD. 


•This  herb  is  a  very  wholesome  'bitter,  and  may  be 
taken  to  advantage  in  different  ways.  It  is  of  a  hot 
nature,  and  is  good  for  the  stomach,  to  create  an  appe- 
tite, and  assist  the  digesture.  It  may  be  taken  in  tea, 
or  the  green  herb  may  be  pounded  and  tinctured  in  spir- 
it, which  is  good  to  apply  to  i|  te'uise  or  sr  lin. 


TANST. 


This  is  a  hot  bitter  herb,  grows  common  in  highways, 
and  is  cultivated  in  gardens.    A  tea  made  of  this  herb 


T 

swel 
them 
For 


Th 
plied 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


69 


3  IS  an 
i-ache, 
t  to  the 


and  is 
An  in- 
)ney,  is 
i  lungs. 
Tm,  and 
le  hoar- 
led  with 
ire  short 


od  for  a 
>ose  with 
id  it  as  a 
nd. 


len  going 
ttacks  of 
the  feet, 
ion  in  old 


1  may  be 
i  of  a  hot 
J  an  appe- 
;en  in  tea, 
ed  in  spir- 
1. 


highways, 
'  this  herb 


is  good  for  hysterics  and  other  female  complaints;  it 
will  strengthen  those  that  have  weak  reins  and  kidneys, 
and  is  good  for  the  strangury,  or  stoppage  of  urine. — 
The  green  leaves  pounded,  are  good  to  put  on  bruises 
and  sprains,  and  will  allay  the  swelling. 

CHAMOMILE. 

This  is  a  well  known  herb,  the  flowers  are  sold  by 
the  apothecaries  and  are  made  much  use  of  in  a  tea  for 
many  complaints.  It  is  ^ood  given  in  a  tea  for  bowel 
complaints,  and  externally  applied  will  relieve  sprains, 
bruise.s,  and  swellings,  and  remove  calluses,  corns,  &.c. 
Bnd  restore  shrunk  sinews. 

BITTER-SWEET. 

This  herb  has  long  been  est^med  as  a  medicine  of 
considerable  value  for  many  complaints.  It  grows  com- 
mon in  this  country,  in  hedges  where  the  ground  is 
moist,  agd  the  top  runs  along  the  ground  or  climbs  on 
bushes.  Its  taste,  when  chewed,  is  first  bitter  and  then 
sweet,  which*  has  given  it  its  name.,  It  is  said  to  be  a 
good  medicine  for  internal  injuries,  and  to  remove  ob- 
structions, which  I  have  no  doubt  is  correct;  but  the 
only  way  I  make  use  of  it  is  for  external  application; 
the  bark  of  the  root,  with  chamomile  and  wormwood, 
makes  an  ointmeni,  of  gi  eat  .value,  which  is  an  excellent 
thing  for  a  bruise,  sprain,  callus,  swelling,  or  for  corns. 

MULLEN. 

The  leaves  of  this  plant  are  very  good  to  bring  down 
swelling,  and  to  restore  conti  acted  sinews,  by  pounding 
them,  and  applying  them  warm  to  the  part  affected. 
For  external  use,  they  are  an  excellent  article  in  many 
complaints.  This  herb  is  too  well  known  to  need  any 
description.  It  is  an  important  article  in  my  strength- 
ening plaster. 


■m 


BURDOCK. 


The  leaves  of  this  plant,  wilted  by  the  fire,  and  ap- 
plied to  an  external  injury,  will  allay  the  inflammation 


70 


JV«t0  Guide  to  Health; 


and  ease  pain;  and  they  are  good  pounded  and  put  on 
to  a  bruise  or  sprain',  as  it  will  give  immediate  relief. 
It  is  made  use  of  in  the  strengthening  plaster.  The 
leaves  are  good  applied  to  the  feet  in  case  of  fever  to 
keep  them  moist,  and  promote  perspiration. 


SKUNK-CABBAGE. 


*  This  vegetable  grows  common  in  all  parts  of  New- 
England  ;  it  has  large  leaves  something  resembling  cab- 
bage, from  which  and  its  disagreeable  smell,  it  takes  its 
name;  it  may  be  found  in  the  meadows  and  y/ef  land. 
The  roet  only  is  used  for  medicine,  which  sbould  be 
dug  and  split  into  strips,  and  carefully  dried;  when  dry, 
it  should  be  pounded  or  ground  to  a  powder.  Thif 
powder  may  be  taken  in  tea,  sweetened,  or  made  into  a 
syrup,  or  half  a  tea-spoonful  may  be  mixed  in  honey, 
and  taken  in  the  mcyning,  or  at  night  when  going  to 
bed.  It  is  good  for  asthma,  cough,  difficuity  oi  breath- 
ing, and  all  disorders  of  the  lungs,  and  with  other  ar- 
ticles makes  one  of  the  best  preparations  for  th^e  com- 
plaints I  have  ever  found.  ^^ 
• 

WAKE    ROBIN. 

.  This  plant  grows  wild  in  this  country.  It  has  three 
triangular  leaves,  from  between  them  it  puts  forth  a  nak- 
ed stalk,  pn  the  top  of  which  is  a  singular  stem  or  pistil, 
enclosed  in  a  sheath,  resembling  a  flower,  which  is  fol- 
lowed by  a  bunch  of  reddish  berries.  This  root  is  used 
for  medicine,  and  resembles  a  small  turnip.  This  root 
is  extremely  pungent  and  stimulating,  fcnd  is  often  given 
fur  cholic  and  pain  in  the  bowejs,  and  to  expel  wind. 
I  have  mostly  made  use  of  it  for  cough  and  disorders  of 
the  lungs,  for  which  I  have  found  it  a  very  useful  article, 
and  it  forms  part  of  my  composition  for  coughs.  The 
root  should  be  dried  and  reduced  to  a  powder,  and  may 
be  given  mixed  with  honey,  or  in  a  syrup. 

THOROUGHWORT. 

This  ^erb  is  well  known  in  the  country,  and  is  made 
use  of  by  the  people  in  tea  for  many  complaints,    it  ii 


of  a 

comp 

prepi 


Thi 

Jlainti 
t  proi 
tions  i 
may  b 
in  all  < 


This 
where 
joint;  t 
like  a  s 
drank  f] 
may  be 
advonta 


A  tea 

Elaints 
ave  ma 
peachmt 
18  an  ei 
been  rei 
gesture, 
bowels. 


This  Id 
count  of 
nse  of  h) 
fee.    It 
AS  a  subs 
(bis  coun 


OTy  Botanic  Family  Phyncian. 


71 


it  on 


The 
er  to 


New- 
^  cab- 
icei  it! 
>  land, 
uld  be 
.i\  dry, 
Thit 
into  a 
honey, 
oing  to 
brcath- 
hcr  ar- 
e  com- 


18  three 
anak- 

»r  pistil, 
.  li  fol- 
it  used 

Ihis  root 
n  given 

ll  wind, 
■ders  of 
article, 
The 
id  may 


lia  made 
It  if 


of  a  warming  nature,  and  is  good  for  cough^  and  other 
complaints  of  the  lungs.  It  is  used  in  uiy  compound, 
prepared  for  coughs. 

FEATHBRFEW.  . 

This  herb  is  stimulating,  and  is  good  for  hysteric  com- 
plaints, and  many  other  disorders  common  to  females, 
it  promotes  the  passage  of  urine,  and  removes  obstruc- 
tions in  tho^e  parts.  It  should  be  taken  in  tea  alone,  or 
may  be  added  with  chamo.  'Ue,  and  used  to  advantage 
in  all  cases  of  obstructions. 

CLIVERS. 

This  is  a  sort  of  joint  grass  and  grows  in  mowing  land, 
where  the  ground  is  wet.  It  has  small  leaves  at  each 
ioint;  the  stalk  is  four  square,  and  the  edges  are  rough 
like  a  sickle.  This  herb,  made  into  a  strong  tea,  and 
drank  freely,  is  very  good  for  the  stoppage  of  urine,  and 
may  be  n||Dde  use  of  for  all  obstructions  m  those  parts  to 
advantage.         ' 

BLACK    BIRCH  BARK. 

A  tea  made  of  this  bark,  is  useful  in  curing  all  com- 

Elaints  of  the  bowels,  and  to  remove  obstructions.  I 
ave  made  much  use  of  it  in  dysentery.  This  tea,  with 
peachmeats  or  cherry  stone  meats,  made  into  a  syrup, 
18  an  excellent  article  to  restore  patients,  after  having 
been  reduced  by  that  disease,  and  to  promote  the  di- 

Sesture.     It  is  good  for  canker,  and  all  complaints  of  the 
owels. 
t 

EVAN  ROOT. 

This  is  called  by  some  people  chocolate  root,  on  ac- 
eount  of  its  resembling  that  article  in  taste,  and  is  made 
use  of  by  some  for  common  drink,  instead  of  tea  or  co^ 
fee.  It  is  go(^  for  canker,  and  may  be  used  in  No.  9, 
as  a  8ubstitut«%or  other  articles.  It  grows  common  in 
this  country,  and  is  too  well  known  to  need  describing. 


# 


72 


JVeto  Guide  to  Health; 


SLIPPERY   ELM   BARK. 


The  inner  bark  of  this  tree  is  an  article  of  much 
value,  and  may  be  used  to  advuntftg^  in  many  different 
ways.  There. are  several  species  of  the  elm  that  grow 
common  in  this  country ;  and  there  are  two  kinds  of  the 
slippery  elm,  the  bark  of  one  is  rather  hard  and  tough, 
and  the  other  is  very  brittle;  the  latter  is  the  best  for 
medicinal  uses.  The  bark  should  be  peeled,  the  outside 
ross  shaved  off,  dried,  and  ground  or  pounded  to  a  hue 
powder.  If  used  internally,  put  a  tea-spoonful  of  this 
powder  into  a  tea-cup  with  as  much  sugar,  mix  them 
well  together,  then  add  a  little  cold  water,  and  stir  it  till 
perfectly  mixed,  and  then  put  hot  water  to  it  and  stir  till 
it  forms  a  jelly  thick  enough  to  be  eaten  with  a  spoon. 
A  tea-spoonful  may  be  taken  at  a  time,  and  is  an  excel- 
lent mejiicine  to  heal  soreness  in  the  throat,  stomach  and 
bowels,  caused  by  canker;  or  more  hot  water  may  be 
put  to  it  and  made  into  a  drink,  and  freely  taken  for  the 
same  purpose.  I  have  made  much  use  of  this  bark  for 
poultices,  and  have  in  all  cases  found  it  a  moHexcellent 
article  for  that  purpose.  Mixed  with  pounded  cracker 
and  ginger,  it  makes  the  best  pouhice  I  have  ever  found; 
for  burns,  scalds,  felons,  old  sores,  &c.  it  is  the  best 
thing  I  have  met  with,  to  allay  the  inflammation,  ease 
the  pain,  and  heal  them  in  a  short  time. 

BALSAM   FIR. 

This  balsam  is  obtained  from  a  tree  well  known  in 
many  parts  of  this  country ;  it  is  taken  from  smnjl  blis- 
ters, which  form  in  the  bark.  It  isof  a  very  healing  na- 
ture, and  is  good  to  remove  internal  soreness.  It  torms 
an  important  article  in  my  healing  salve.  When  taken 
it  may  be  dropped  ou  loaf  sugar. 

GENTIAN. 

This  root  grows  wild  in  this  country;  ahd  is  found 
plentifully  in  Vermont.  It  was  foriiierl|!:  collected  for 
exportation,  and  large  quantities  of  it  were  sent  to  Chi- 
na, where  it  brought  a  great  price.     It  is  said  the  peo- 


The 
culinar) 
ground 
It  is  ver 
and  wiJll 
in  retair 
BppetiteJ 
ter,  swej 
ach.     It 
ly  and  e( 
that  purj 


or,  JBotomc  Family  Phyncian. 


73 


much 
ifferent 
It  grow 
i  ot  the 
tough, 
Dcst  lor 
outside 
:o  aftne 
il  of  this 
lix  them 
stir  it  till 
d  stir  till 
a  spoon, 
an  excel- 
mach  and 
r  may  be 
3n  for  the 
bark  for 
^excellent 
i  cracker 
^er  found; 
3  the  best 
tion,  ease 


known  in 
small  blis- 
lealing  na- 
It  torms 
hen  taken 


_  is  found 
Fleeted  for 
;nt  to  Chi- 
the  peo- 


ple of  that  country  considered  it  of  great  value;  but 
for  what  purpose  they  use  it,  is,  I  believe,  only  known 
to  themselves.  It  is  a  nervine,  and  may  be  used  to  ad- 
vantage in  all  cases  of  nervous*  affection,  either  alone  or 
mixed  with  other  articles.  The  root  should  be  dug  in 
the  fall,  dried,  and  reduced  to  a  tine  powder;  from  half 
to  a  tea-spoonful  may  be  given  for  a  dose,  in  hot  water, 
sweetened. 

SNAKEROOT. 

This  is  a  well  known  article,  grows  wild,  and  may  be 
found  in  most  parts  of  this  country.  It  is  of  a  hot  i^e^ 
ture,  and  is  mtide  much  use  of  in  tea,  for  measles  and 
other  eruptions,  to  keep  the  disorder  out,  for  which  it  is 
considered  very  good ;  this  is  owing  to  its  warming  qual- 
ities, which  keeps  the  determining  powers  to  the  surface, 
which  effect  may  be  produced  by  almost  any  strong  stim- 
ulant ;  but  No.  2,  or  the  composition  powders,  is  much 
the  best  for  that  purpose.  A  tea  made  of  this  root  may 
be  given  to  advantage  in  many  cases  of  disease;  it  has 
a  tendengh  to  promote  perspiration,  and  is  good  to  re- 
move pam  in  the  stomach  and 'bowels,  and  expehwind. 
The  roots  reduced  to  powder  may  be  mixed  with  gentiao 
or  umbil  for  all  nervous  complaints. 

MUSTARD. 

The  seed  of  this  herb  is  principally  made  use  of  for 
culinary  purposes,  being  eaten  on  meat ;  for  which  it  is 
ground  to  a  fine  powder,  and  mixed  with  warm  water. 
It  is  very  pungent,  and  of  a  hot  nature ;  but  is  volatile, 
and  will  not  hold  the  heat  long  enough  to  do  much  good 
in  retaining  the  internal  heat.  It  is  good  to  create  an 
appetite,  and  assist  the  digesture;  and  given  in  hot  wft> 
ter,  sweetened,  will  remove  pain  in  the  bowels  and  stonv> 
ach.  It  is  frequently  used  for  rheumatism,  both  internal 
iy  and  externally;  but  Nos.  2  and  6,  are  much  better  for 
that  purpose.  > 

7 


^# 


u 


A«itf  Guidfi 


toHtakhs 


HORSERADISH. 


•    '4 


W       # 


t 


The  root  of  this  plant  is  mostly  used  for  culinary  par< 
poses,  and  it  has  some  medicinal  properties.  It  is  of  a 
kot  ndture,  but  very  volatile;  its  warming  qualities  will 
mostly  evaporate  before  it  gets  into  the  stomach.  The 
roots  may  be  given  to  promote  the  appetite,  and  assist 
the  digestiire.  The,  leaves  are  sometimes  applied  to  re- 
move external  pain,  but  is  apt  to  raise  a  blister. 

BALM    or   GILEAD. 

This  tree  is  of  the  species  of  the  poplar  and  possesses 
some  medicinal  virtues.  It  resembles  the  kind  of  {poplar 
that  has  been  described,  having  similar  tags ;  but  the 
buds  and  leaves  are  larger.  The  buds  bruised  and  tinc- 
tured in  spirit,  produces  an  effect  something  like  th« 
tincture  ot  myrrh;  and. is  good  taken  inwardly  as  a  re- 
storative, and  for  bathing  sores.  The  bark  scraped  from 
the  twigs,  and  steeped  in  hot  water,  is  a  good^orrector 
of  the  bile,  and  will  operate  both  as  an  emeiP  and  ca- 
thfurtic;  it  is  more  harsh  than  the  other  kind  of  poplar, 
but  may  be  used  to  advantage  in  many  cases  of  dis- 
ease. 

BUTTERNUT. 

This  tree  grows  common  in  this  country,  and  is  well 
Imown  from  the  nut  which  it  bears,  of  an  oblong  shape, 
iB4  nearly  as  large  as  an  egg,  in  which  is  a  meat  con- 
taining much  oil,  and  very  good  to  eat.  The  bark  of 
this  tree  is  used  by  the  country  people  to  color  with. 
The  bark  taken  from  the  body  of  the  tree  or  roots,  and 
'  boiled  down  till  thick,  may  be  made  into  pills,  and  ope- 
rates as  a  powerful  emetic  and  cathartic;  a  syrup  may 
be  made  by  boiling  the  bark,  afid  adding  one  third  mo- 
Iwaes  and  a  little  spirit,  which  is  good  to  give  children 
for  worm  complaints.  The  buds  and  twigs  may  also  be 
nsed  for  the  same  purpose,  and  are  more  mild.  White 
ash  bark  and  balm  of  gilead  may  be  added,  equal  parts, 
and  made  into  syrup  or  pills.  Those  who  are  fond 
of  drastic  purges  may  have  their  ends  sufficiently  an- 
•wered  by  these  preparationA^  and  they  are  the  most 


or,  Botamc  Famly  Phyneian. 


n 


■y  por- 
ts of  a 
lea  will 
The 
assist 
I  to  re- 


wsesseft 
r  poplar 
but  the 
nd  tine- 
like  th« 
as  a  re- 
)ed  from 
lorrector 
I  and  ca- 
poplar, 
of  di»- 


safe  and  harmless  of  any  that  I  know  of;  and  those  who 
wish  to  be  tortured  with  blisters,  can  have  them  cheap, 
by  bruising  the  green  shell  of  the  nut,  or  the  bark,  and 
applying  it  where  the  blister  is  wanted,  keeping  tha 
bandage  wdt,  and  in  three  hours  they  will  be  completely 
drawn,  and  the  skin  as  black  as  that  of  an  African.  This 
is  much  quicker  and  safer,  than  if  done  with  flies,  and 
will  not  cause  strangury.  The  bark  of  the  butternut  it 
the  principal  ingredient  in  Dr.  Hawkes*s  rheumatic  and 
cancer  pills,  and  also  of  Chamberlain's  bilious  cordial, 
which  have  been  so  celebrated  for  many  complaints.  It 
is  called  by  some  people  oilnut  and  lemon  walnut. 

BLUE   ANO   WHITE  TERVINE. 

*  This  is  a  well  known  herb,  growing  very  common ;  it 
ranks  next  to  the  emetic  herb,  for  a  puke ;  and  may  be 
used  for  tbat  purpose,  either  i  alone  or  combined  with 
tborougiiwort.  It  is  good  to  prevent  a  fever  in  its  first 
stages.  ^*his  herb  has  been  used  with  considerable  suo- 
cess  in  an)ns#nption,  having  cured  several  cases  where 
the  doctors  had  ^iven  them  over.  It  may  be  used  m  a 
tea  made  of  the  dry  herb;  or  prepared  in  powder  nke 
the  emetic  herb. 


d  is  well 
shape, 
leat  con- 
bark  of 
lor  with, 
oots,  and 
and  ope- 
yrup  may 
bird  mo- 
s  children 
y  also  be 
White 
ual  parts, 
are  fond 
iently  an- 
the  most 


FIPSISWAT,  or  RHEUMATIC    WEED. 


*- 


This  kerb  grows  on  mountainous  land,  and  <m  pine 
plains,  where  the  boxberry  or  checkerberry  is  found 
plenty.  It  is  an  ever-green,  and  grows  from  three  to 
six  inches  high,  has  a  number  of  dark  green  leaves, 
about  half  an  inch  wide,  and  from  jene  to  two  inches 
long,  xvith  a  scalloped  edge;  bears  several  brown  seeds, 
resembling  allspice.  The  tops  and  roots  are  used  for 
medicine.  The  roots,  when  chewed,  are  very  pungent, 
which  will  be  felt  for  several  hours  on  the  tongue,  as 
though  burnt.  A  strong  tea  made  of  this  plant  is  good 
for  cancers  afid  all  scrofulous  humors,  by  drinking  the 
tea  and  bathing  with  it  the  parts  affected.    ||. 


\^^ 


ie 


Jfei»'Ouide  to  Health; 


Another  evergreen  plant,  called  wild  lettuce,  srowf 
on  the  Bamo  kind  of  land,  which  posgeeaeg  nuicn  Ihn 
■ame  medical  properties  as  the  above.  It  hm  round 
leaves,  from  the  size  of  a  cent  to  that  of  a  dollar,  re- 
■embling  a  common  lettuce.  Tho  roots  of  this  plant, 
and  of  tho  pipsisway,  dried  and  powdered  together, 
equal  parts,  is  good  to  cure  all  bad  humors.  Take  a 
tea-spoonful  of  the  powder  in  a  glass  of  hot  water,  and 
bathe  the  parts  affected  with  the  same.  It  is  olio  good 
to  restore  weak  nerves. 

OOLOENROD. 

This  herb  may  be  found  common  on  pine  plaint  and 
in  hedges;  it  grows  about  two  or  three  feet  high,  has  a 
long  narrow  leaf,  very  smooth  and  glossy,  and  a  largo 
cluster  of  yellow  blossoms;  it  has  a  sweet,  spicy  tnitt 
and  smell,  resembling  fennel  or  anniaA  There  is  an  oil 
obtained  from  this  herb,  eood  foir  medicine;  and  al»u  pre^- 
pared  in  essence,  isgooq  for  pain  in  the  head,  to  be  tak- 
en, or  the  outside  bathed  with  it.  The^il  4|fioad  to 
scejit  the  bayberry  and  bitter  root  snuff,  which  is  very 
g(»ed  to  be  taken  and  snuffed  up  the  nose.  There  are 
several  herbs  that  resemble  this  in  appearance,  but  are 
very  different  in  smell  and  taste. 

I 

MEADOW     FERN. 

Thi»  is  a  shrub,  and  grows  in  meadows,  and  by  the 
side  of  stagnant  water,  sometimes  growing  in  the  water; 
it  is  found  in  thick  bunches,  and  grows  from  two  to 
three  feet  high.  When  the  leaves  are  off,  it  has  a  large 
bud,  which  is  lal%er  on  some  bushes  than  others;  some 
of  them  bear  a  small  bur,  or  cluster  of  seeds,  whieh, 
when  rubbed  between  the  fingers,  leaves  an  oily  or  bftl- 
samy  substance,  having  a  fragrant  smell,  sometning  like 
spirits  of  turpentine. 

These  buriS,  pounded  fine  and  simmered  in  cream, 
hog's  lard  or  fresh  butter,  is  almost  a  sovereign  remedy 
for  the  itch,  or  external  poison,  an4  all  bad  humor 
sores.  When  the  burs  cannot  be  had,  take  the  bufih 
and  buds  and  ms^e  &  strong  decoction;   drink  of  tbia 


.1 


T< 

in  g^ 
Mowt 

The! 


growl 
uch  thfl 

round 
>llar,  re- 
■  plant, 
ogethar, 
Take  a 
ter,  and 
Ibo  good 


laina  and 
i;h,  hai  • 
id  a  largo 
iicy  tnRtt 
Q  18  an  oil 
1  wUu  pre 
bo  tnk- 
ood  to 
■his  very 
rhere  are 
),  but  aro 


or,  Botanic  Family  Phytictan. 


11 


ind  by  the 
tho  wator; 
om  two  to 
tiag  a  large 
\ew,  unme 
ids,  whieh, 
oily  or  bal- 
lotbing  like 

in  ereom, 
an  remedy 
bed  humor 
e  the  bufth 
rink  of  tbit 


and  waiih  with  the  same.  This  liquor  roay  be  prepared 
in  syrup,  and  by  boiling  it  down,  maybe  made  into  oint- 
ment, as  has  been  described  for  the  burs;  the  syrup 
should  be  taken,  and  the  ointment  put  on  the  affectod 
parts.  This  ointment,  or  the  wash,  is  good  for  salt- 
rheum,  or  canker  sores,  and  may  be  used  freely. 


YELLOW    DOCK. 


The  root  of  this  plant  is  well  known  as  being  made 
into  ointment  for  the  itch.  The  roots  should  be  bruised 
fine  in  a  mortar,  and  put  in  a  pewter  bason,  add  cream 
enough  to  make  an  ointment,  keep  it  warm  for  twelve 
hours,  bo  careful  not  to  scald  it.  Rub  it  on  at  night 
when  going  to  bed.  Three  times  using  it  will  generally 
efTect  a  cure.  The  foregoing  described  ointments,  to- 
gether wi|b  No.  3,  and  the  rheumatic  drops  prepared 
with  the  spirits  of  turpentine,  will  be  sufficient  to  cure 
any  case  of  this  complaint. 

^  PRICKL¥   ASH. 

This  is  a  shrub  or  bush  that  grows  in  the  Wcstfni 
country,  and  is  'well  known  by  the  people  there.     It 

S'ows  from  eight  to  twelve  feet  high,  and  bears  a  berry 
at  grows  closeto  the  limbs ;  it  has  leaves  iike  the  white- 
ash.  The  bark  and  the  berries  are  used  for  medical 
purposes.  The  berries  aro  very  pungent,  and  are  a 
powerful  stimulant,  as  also  the  bark  of  the  top  and  roots, 
though  not  so  strong.  Jt  should  be  pounded  to  a  pow- 
der, and  steeped  ia  hot  water,  then  put  into  wine  or  spir- 
it,  and  it  makes  a  very  good  hot  bitter.  Take  half  a 
glass  two  or  three  times  a  day ;  it  is  geod  for  fever  and 
ague,  for  which  it  is  much  used;  and  for  lethargy,  or 
sleepiness,  and  for  cold  feet  and  hands,  and  other  eom- 
ploints  caused  by  cold. 

BITTER  THISTLE.  * 

This  herb  is  a  species  of  the  thistle,  and  is  cultivated 
in  gardens.  It  is  of  one  yearns  growth,  the  seed  being 
aown  in  the  spring,  and  it  comes  to  maturity  in  the  fall. 
The  stalk  has  a  number  of  branches,  and  a  great  quao* 


0> 


n 


^^Mw  Guide  to  Health', 


ttty  of  leaves.  The  leaf  in  some  larger  than  the  Canals 
thistle,  with  prickles  like  it;  and  it  bears  seeds  about 
the  size  of  the  barley  corn,  with  a  beard  on  the  end, 
nearly  as  long  as  the  seed.  The  leaves  are  used  for 
medicine,  which  may  be  steeped  in  hot  water,  and  drank 
like  other  herb  tea,  or  they  may  be  reduced  to  a^powder 
and  taken  in  molasses  or  warm  water,  or  in  wirte  or  spirit. 
It  is  an  excellent  corrector  of  the  bile,  and  may  be  safe- 
ly used  for  that  purpose.  The  Cardis  Bcnedictus,  or 
beloved  thistle,  is  cultivated  in  the  same  manner,  and 
may  be  used  for  the  same  purpose. 

AtlC  RANGE  L.  .\^t.«'lli» 

This  herb  grows  wild  in  wet  land,  and  may  be  often 
found  among  the  grass,  and  at  the  edges  of  plough  fields. 
It  grows  from  four  to  twelve  inches  high;  the  leaves  are 
Irather  smaller  than  mint  leaves ;  it  bears  a  kind  of  bur 
containing;  seed,  which  grows  round  the  stalk  at  each 
joint.  There  are  two  kinds  which  grow  near  each  other; 
they  look  very  much  alike,  but  are  very  different  in 
taste.  One  is  very  bitter,  and  the  other  has  no  bitter 
taste,' but  is  very  rough,  and  of  a  balsamic  taste.  They 
may  be  used  together  in  a  tea  or  syrup,  and  answer  two 
important  purposes;  the  rough  removes  the  canker,  and 
the  bitter  is  a  corrector  of  the  bile.  By  adding  No,  2, 
the  compound  contains  the  three  great  principles  of  the 
healing  art,  viz.  hot,  rough  and  bitter.' 


•n-51, 


1:.  ^ 

-«X3Up 


t;  J- 


a«» 


■>MSt- 


,\' V. 


about 
e  end, 

sed  for 
i  drank 
powder 
\r  spirit, 
ac  safe- 
!lu8,  or 
er,  and 


DIRECT  lOBTI 


FOR    PREPARING   AND    USING 


TCGETABLE   ]!IEDI€II«E. 


W- 


)i«, 


be  often 
fh  fields, 
aves  are 
i  of  bur 
i  at  each 
ch  other; 
ferent  in 
no  bitter 
They 
swer  two 
»ker,  and 
jg  No.  2, 
cs  of  the 


I:..-,:      •■■ 
•'i. 


'^ 


at 


No.    1. — Emelic  Herb. 

The  preparation  of  this  herb  hns  been  sufficiently  de- 
scribed, for  wliich  see  page  43.  It  is  prepared  and  used 
in  three  difForent  wavs,  viz: 

1.  The  powdered  leaves  and  pods.  This  is  the  most 
common  form  of  using  it;  and  from  l:'\lf  to  a  tea-spoon- 
ful rnny  be  taken  in  warm  water,  sweeten*,'' :  or  the  same 
quantity  may  be  put  into  either  of  the  otht.-  numbers 
when  taken;  to  cleanse  the  stomach,  overpower  tht  ♦^old, 
and  prom;)te  a  free  perspiration. 

2.  A  tincture  made  from  the  green  herb  in  spirit. 
This  is  used  to  counteract  the  eflects  of  poison;  to^lfte 
either  internally  or  externally  used;  and  for  asthma  and 
other  complainls  of  the  lung^.  For  a  di^se,  take  a  tea- 
spoonful,  adding  about  the  same  quantity  of  No.  2,  in 
half  a  tea-cupful  of  warm  watlir,  sweetened,  and  in  all 
cases  of  nervous  affection  add  half  a  tea-spoonful  of  nervo 
powder.  For  the  external  effects  of  poison,  take  the 
above  dose,  and  bathe  the  parts  affccttd  with  the  tinc- 
ture, repeating  it  till  cured. 

3.  The  seeds  reduced  to  a  fine  powder,  and  mixed 
-with  Nos.  2.  and  6.  This  is  for  the  most  violent  attacks 
.pf  spasms  and  other  complaints,  such  as  lock-jaw,  bttepf 
a  mad  d  :>g,  fits,  drowned  persons,  and  all  cases  ofsuspe^d- 
«d  animation,  where 'the  vital  spark  is  nearly  extinct. 
For  a  dose,  give  a  tea-spoonful,  and  repeat  it  till  relief 
is  obtained ;  then  follow  with  a  tea  of  No.  3,  for  canker. 

For  children,  the  dose  must  be  regulated  according  to 
their  age.    If  very  youn|N^steep  a  dos^  of  the  powder 


80 


JVeto  Gtdde  to  HeaUh; 


in  half  a  tea-cupful  of  warm  water,  or  tea  of  raspberry 
loaves,  and  give  a  tea-spoonful  at  a  time  of  the  tea, 
•trained  through  a  fine  cloth,  and  sweetened,  repeating 
the  dose  every  ten  minutes,  till  it  operates;  and  give 
pennyroyal,  or  some  otheje  herb  tea  for  drink. 

No.  2. —  Cayenne. 

This  is  a  medicine  of  great  value  ir  '  : .;  practice,  and 
may  be  safely  used  in  all  cases  of  disf.use,  to  raise  and 
retain  the  internal  vital  heat  of  the  system,  cause  a  free 
perspiration,  and  keep  the  determining  powers  to  the 
turface.  Tho  only  preparation  is  to  have  it  reduced  to 
A  Ane  powder.  For  a  dose,  take  from  half  to  a  tea- 
•poonful,  in  hot  water,  or  a  tea  of  No.  3,  sweetened;  or 
the  same  quantity  may  be  mixed  with  a  dose  of  either 
the  other  numbers,  when  taken.  The  dose  should  be 
repeated  every  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  till  the  desired  ob- 
ject is  efibcted,  and  continued  occasionally  till  health  is 
restored.  When  this  number  is  given,  the  pati«nt  should 
be  kept  warm,  by  sitting  by  the  fire,  covered  with  a 
blanket,  or  in  a  warm  bed. 

#  No.  3. — For  Canker. 

Take  Bayberry  root  bark  and  white  pond  Lily  root, 
equal  parts  of  each,  pounded  and  well  mixed  together; 
•teep  one  ounce  of  the  powder  in  a  pint  of  boiling  water, 
and  give  for  a  dose,  a  common  wine  glass  full,  sweet- 
ened. 

If  the  above' cannot  be  had,  take  as  a  substitute, 
•umach  bark,  leaves  or  berries,  red-raspberry  or  witch- 
hazle  leaves,  marsh  rosemary,  or  either  of  the  other 
articles  described  under  the  hef>d  of  No.  3 ;  they  are 
all  good  for  canker,  and  may  be  used  together  or  sepa- 
rately. 

When  the  violence*  of  the  disease  requires  a  courae  of 
medicine,  steep  one  ounce  of  the  above  mentioned  pow- 
der. No.  3,  in  a  pint  of  boiling  water,  strain  00"  a  wine 
glass  full  while  hot,  and  add  a  tea-spoonful  of  No.  2, 
And  the  same  quantity  of  maar;  when  cool  enough  to 


take,  I 

tyoff 

at  inti 

pound 

again 

■poonf 

the  inj 

Afte 

operati 

three  h 

page  2 

This 

repeate 

stances 

moved. 

■ometin 

in  bad  < 
carry  ii 

a  week, 
Greal 
BO  as  I 
through 
the  con 
the  pnt 
very  di 
below  t 
by  artifi 
Durir 
seasone 
the  pat 
the  appi 
A  tei 
night  a 
and  dui 
poplar 

As  ■( 
No.  4, 
and  ha 
taken  t 
the    sto 
powers. 


♦^^I*,. 


or,  Bilanie  FamUy  Phyndan. 


81 


t«ko,  add  a  toa-Npoonful  of  No.  1 ,  and  half  that  quanti- 
ty of  nerve  p'jwder.  Let  thia  doao  be  given  three  times., 
at  intervah  oC  fifteen  miiiutes;  and  let  the  same  com- 
pound be  given  by  injection,  and  if  the  case  requires  it, 
again  repeat  it.  If  in3rtiHcation  is  apprehended,  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  No.  6,  may  be  added  to  each  dose,  and  to 
the  injections, 

After  the  patient  has  recovered  sufficiently  from  tho 
operation  of  tho  medicine,  which  is  usually  in  two  or 
three  hours,  place  thuin  over  the  steam,  as  is  directed  in 
page  31.  «  m 

This  operation  is  sufficient  for  one  time,  and  must  be 
repeated  each  day,  or  every  other  day,  as  the  circum- 
stances of  tho  case  may  require,  till  the  dis-uder  is  re- 
moved. Three  times  will  generally  be  sufficient,  and 
sometimes  onco  or  twice  will  answer  the  purpose;  but 
in  bad  chronic  caios  it  may  be  necessary  to  continue  to 
carry  *han*  tnrougu  a  it>tfuiar  uuuron  ttvn.or  tbibo  times 
a  week,  for  a  considerable  length  of  time. 

Great  care  ifiust  be  taken  to  keep  up  an  internal  heat, 
80  as  to  produce  perspiration,  afVer  they  have  been 
through  tho  operation,  by  giving  occasionally  No.  2,  or 
the  composition  powder,  for  if  this  is  not  attended  to, 
the  patient  may  have  a  relapse,  in  which  case  it  will  be 
very  difftcult  to  rdine  it  agam,  as  they  will  fall  a^  much 
below  a  natural  heat  as  they  have  been  raised  above  it 
by  arti^cial  means. 

During  the  operation  give  milk  porridge,  or  gruel  well 
seasoned,  with  a  little  cayenne  in  it;  and  after  it  is  over, 
the  patients  may  eat  any  kind  of  nourishing  food  that 
the  appetite  may  crave. 

A  tea-cupful  of  the  tea  of  No.  3,  should  be  taken 
night  and  morning,  to  prevent  a  relapse  of  the  disease^ 
and  during  the  day  drink  frequently  of  a  tea  made  of 
poplar  bark;  and  it  costive,  use  the  bitter  root. 

As  soon  as  the  disorder  is  |emoved,  use  the  bjtters, 
No.  4,  to  correct  tho  bile  and  restore  the  digcsture; 
and  half  a  wine  glass  full  of  the  syrup,  No.  5,  may  be 
taken  two  or  three  times  a  day,  which  will  strengthen 
the  stomach  and  assist  in  regulating  the  digestive 
powers. 


■    ..■■Ut!^:p'''*i- 


.:M 


Wp^ 


83 


JVm0  (hide  to  HeaUKi 


x^ 


The  foregoing  directions  Ate  calculated  for  the  more 
violent  attacks  oi  diseaie,  and  such  as  have  become  set- 
tled; but  those  of  a  less  violent  nature  must  be  treated 
according  to  circumstances.  In  the  first  stages  of  a 
disease,  it  may  be  most  generally  thrown  off  by  a  doSe 
of  the  emetic  herb,  with  No.  2,  to  raise  a  free  perspira- 
tion, followed  by  a  te»  of  No.  3,  to  remove  the  canker, 
and  the  bitters  or  u  t^a  of  poplar  bark,  to  regulate  the 
digesture.  For  a  sudden  cold,  take  a  dose  of  the'  com- 
>  position  powder  on  going  to  bod,  and  put  a  hot  stone, 
wrapped  in  wet  cloths,  at  the  feet,  which  will  in  most 
cases  remove  the  complaint;  but  if  these  applications  do 
not  answer  the  purpose,  the  patient  should  be  carried 
through  a  regular  course  as  soon  as  jiossible.  Steaming 
is  safe  and  will  always  do  good,  and  the  injections  must 
not  be  neglected,  particularly  where  the  bowels  are  dis- 
ordered. In  consumption,  and  all  old  lingering  com-, 
plaioAo,  give  thfli  /•«»r»t|»«»»uion  |>«»»»oer  lor  iwn  r\*  mrcQ 
days  before  going  through  a  regular  course. 

No.  4.— BiWeri. 


Take  the  Bitter  Herb,  or  Balmony,  Barberry  and 
Poplar  h'U'k,  equal  p^rts,  pulverized,  one  ounce  of  the 
powder  to  a  pint  of^  hot  water,  ond  half  a  pint  of  spirit. 
For  a  dose,  take  half  a  wine  glass  full.  For  hot  bitters, 
add  a  tea-spoonful  of  No.  2. 

This  preparation  is  calculated  to  correct  the  bile  and 
create  an  appetite,  by  restoring  the  digestive  powers; 
and  may  be  freely  used  both  as  a  restorative  and  to  pre- 
vent disease. 

When  the  above  articles  cannot  be  had,  either  of  those 
that  have  been  before  described  under  No.  4,  which 
are  all  good  for  the  same  purpose,  may  be  used  as  a 
substitute. 

No.  6.— Si/riip. 

Take  Poplar  bark  and  bark  of  the  root  of  Bayberry, 
one  pound  each,  and  boil  them  in  two  gallons  of  water, 
strain  off  and  add  teven  pounds  of  good  sugar;  then 


W' 


or,  Botanic  Family  P/tynctan. 


83 


more 
le  set- 
:reated 
3  of  a 
a  doiie 
irspira- 
janker, 
ite  the 
e'  com- 
,  stone, 
in  most 
Lions  do 
carried 
teaming 
ns  must 
are  dis- 
2    com- 
!f,  inre6 


jrry  and 
of  the 
spirit, 
bitters, 

}ile  and 
powers; 
to  pro- 
of those 
which 
sed  as  a 


layberry, 
of  water, 
ar;  thea 


scald  and  skim  it,  and  add  half  a  pound  of  peachmeats; 
or  the  same  quantity  of  cherry-stone  meats,  pounded 
fine.  When  cool,  add  a  gallon  of  good  brandy;  and 
keep  it  in  bottles  for  use.  Take  half  a  wine  glass  fall 
two  or  three  times  a  day. 

Any  other  quantity  rnay  be  prepared,  by  observing  the 
same  proportion  of  the  different  articles. 

This  syrup  is  very  good  to  strengthen  the  stomach 
and  bowels,  and  to  restore  weak  patients;  and  is 
particularly  useful  in  the  dysentery,  which  leaves  the 
stomach  and  bowels  in  a  sore  state.  In  a  relax,  or 
the  first  stages  of  the  dysentery,  by  using  a  tea  of  No. 
3,  freely,  and  giving  this  syrup,  it  will  generally  cure 
it,  ai>d  will  also  prevent  those  exposed,  from  taking  the 
disease. 


No.  6. — Rheumalic  Dropg. 

Take  one  gallon  of  good  fourth  proof  brandy,  or  any 
kind  of  high  wines,^  one  pound  of  gum  Myrrh  pound- 
ed fine,  one  ounce  of  No.  2,  and  put  them  into  a  stone 
jug,  and  boil  it  a  few  minutes  in  a  kettle  of  water,  leav- 
ing the  jug  unstopped.  When  settled,  bott\e  it  up  for 
use.  It  ma^  be  prepared  without  boiling.'by  \etting  it 
stand  in  the  jug  for  five  or  six  days,  shaking  h  well 
every  day,  when  it  will  be  fit  for  use. 

These  drops  are  to  remove  pain  and  prevent  morti- 
fication, to  be  taken,  or  applied  externally  or  to  be  put 
into  the  injections.  One  or  two  tea-spoonfuls  of  these 
drops  may  be  given  alone,  or  the  same  quantity  tnay 
be  put  into  a  dose  of  either  of  the  medicines  before 
mentioned ;  and  may  be  also  used  to  bathe  with  in.  all 
cases  of  external  swellings  or  pains.  It  is  an  excel- 
lent remedy  for  rheumatism,  by  taking  a  dose  and 
bathing  the  parts  affected  wi|h  it.  In  the  headache, 
by  taking  a  swallow,  and  bathing  the  head,  and  snufi- 
ing  a  little  up  the  nose,  it  will  remove  the  pain.  It  is 
good  for  bruis'^s,  sprains,  swelled  Joints/^Rnd  old  sores; 
as  it  will  allay  t(ie  inflammation,  ering  down  swelling, 
ease  pain,  and  produce  a  tendenoy  to  heal;  in  fact 
there  is  hardly  a  complaint,  in  which  this  useAil  medi- 


84 


!»>■'*■■ 


JVcto  Gmde  to  HedUltt 


cine  cannot  be  used  to  advantage.  It  ii  the  belt 
preservative  against  mortification  of  any  thing  I  have 
ever  found. 

For  bathing,  in  rheumatism^  itch,  or  other  humors, 
or  in  any  swelling  or  external  pain,  add  one  quarter  part 
of  spirits  of  turpentine ;  and  for  sprains  and  bruises,  a 
little  g4ini  cauiphor  mky  be  added. 


tea-sp( 
and  ix 
nerve 
same, 
tient  n 
medici, 


NERVE   POWDER. 

This  is  the  American  Valerian,  or  Umbil,  ond  the 
preparation  has  been  sufficiently  described,  for  which 
see  page  65.  This  powder  is  a  valuable  and  safe  medi- 
cine, and  may  be  used  in  all  cases  without  danger;  and 
when  there  are  nervous  symptoms,  it  must  never  be  dis- 

Eensed  with.  For  a  dose,  take  half  a  tea-spoonful  in 
ot  water  sweetened;  or  the  same  quantity  should  b? 
put  into  a  dose  of  either  of  the  other  medicines,  and  also 
into  the  injections,  in  all  nervous  cases. 

composition;  or,  vegetable  powdbr. 

Take  two  pounds  of  the  bayberry-root  bark,  one  pound 
of  ginger,  two  ounces  of  Cayenne,  two  ounces  of  cloves, 
all  pounded  fkif!,  sifled  through  a  fine  sieve,  «nd  well  mix- 
ed together.  For  a  dose,  take  a  tea-spoonful  of  this  pow- 
der, with  an  equal  quantity  of  sugar,  and  put  to  it  half  a 
teacupful  of  boiling  water;  to  be  taken  as  soon  as  suffi- 
ciently cool,  the  patient  being  in  bed,  or  by  the  fire, 
covered  with  a  blanket.    , 

This  composition  is  calculated  for  the  first  stages  end 
in  less  violent  attacks  of  disease.  It  is  a  medicine  of 
much  value,  and  may  be  safely  used  in  all  complaints  of 
male  or  female,  and  for  children.  It  is  good  for  relax, 
dysentery,  pain  in  the  stomach  and  bowels,  and  to  re- 
move all  obstructions  cajjjised  by  cold,  or  loss  of  inward 
heat;  by  taking  a  dose  dh  going  to  bed,  and  putting  b 
hot  stone  to  the  feet,  wrapped  in  wet  cloths,  it  will  cure 
u  bad  cold,  and  will  generally  throw  off  a  disease  in  itM 
first  stdgcs,  if  repeatCMltwoorthree  times.  '  jfthe  symp- 
toms are  violent,  with  much  pain,  add  to  each  dose  B 


Tak< 
Hoarhc 
No.  2, 
one  of 
gether. 
halfati 
warm,  i 
ticularl^ 

Whei 
be  best, 
re>  ,ilar 
sary. 


Take 

and  boil 

and  fill 

before  in 

heads  to 

fire  i\n 

fit  for  us( 

ii  shou/d 

made  sofi 

old  sores. 


Take 
one  and  a 
sam-fir; 
off  into  a 
heal  fresh 
(he  inflam 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


85 


tea-spoonful  of  No.  6,  and  half  a  tea-spoonful  of  No.  1 ; 
and  in  nervous  symptoms,  add  half  a  tea-spoonful  of 
nerve  powder;  at  the  same  tune  give  an  injection  of  the 
same.  If  these  should  not  answer  tlie  purpose,  the  pa- 
tient must  be  carried  through  a  regular  course  of  the 
medicine,  as  has  been  before  described. 

COUGH    FOWDER. 

Take  four  tea-spoonfuls  of  Skunk  Cabbage,  two  of 
Hoarhcand,  one  of  Wake-robin,  one  of  No.  1,  one  of 
No.  2,  one  of  Bayberry  bark,  one  of  Bitter  root,  and 
one  of  nerve  po.wder,  all  made  fine  and  well  mixed  to- 

g ether.  When  taken,  to  be  mixed  with  molasses.  Take 
alf  a  tearspoonful  of  the  powder  on  going  to  bed;  keep 
warm,  and  continue  to  take  it  till  relief  is  obtained,  par- 
ticularly on  going  to  bed. 

Where  the  cough  has  been  of  long  standing,  it  vfig 
be  best,  while  takmg  this  prescription,  to  go  through  a 
re^.ilar  course  of  the  Biedicine,  and  repeat  it  if  neces- 
sary. 

CANC£R   PLASTER. 

Take  the  heads  of  red  clover,  and  fill  a  brass  kettle, 
and  boil  them  in  water  for  one  hour;  then  take  them  out, 
and  till  the  kettle  again  with  fresh  ones,  and  boil  them  as 
before  in  the  same  liquor.  Strain  it  oif,  and  press  the 
heads  to  get  out  all  the  juice;  then  simmer  it  over  slow 
fire  tiil  it  is  about  the  consistence  of  tar,  when  it  will  be 
fit  for  use.  Be  careful  not  to  let  it  burn.  When  used, 
it  should  be  spread  on  a  piece  of  bladder,  split  and 
tnade  soft.  It  is  good  to  cure  cancers,  sore  hps,  and  all 
old  sores. 

SALVE. 

Take  one  pound  of  Bees-wax,  one  do.  of  salt  Butter, 
one  and  a  half  do.  of  Turpentine,  twelve  ounces  of  Bal- 
sam-fir; melt  and  simmer  them  together;  then  strain  it 
off  into  a  basin,  p.nd  keep  it  for  use.  It  may  be  used  to 
heal  fresh  wojunds,  burns,  scalds,  and  all  bad  sores,  after 
the  inflamjaoAtion  is  allayed,  and  the  wound  cleansed.  . 
8 


«i*Ffl 


86 


JVew  Guide  to  HeaUh} 


STRENGTHENING  PLASTER. 

Take  Burdock  leaves  and  Mullen  leaves,  bruise  them 
and  put  them  in  a  kettle,  with  a  sufficient  quantity  of 
water,  and  boil  them  well;    then  strain  off  the  liquor, 

gress  or  squeeze  the  leaves,  and  boil  it  down  till  about 
alf  as  thick  as  molasses;  then  add  three  parts  of  Rosia 
and  one  of  Turpentine,  and  simmer  well  together,  until 
the  water  is  evaporated;  then  pour  it  off  into  cold  water, 
and  work  it  with  the  hands,  like  shoemaker's  wax;  if 
too  hard,  put  in  more  turpentine,  when  it  will  be  fit  for 
use.  It  should  be  spread  on  soft  leather  and  applied  to 
the  part  affected ;  and  it  is  good  to  strengthen  weakness 
in  the  back  and  other  parts  of  the  body. 

VOLATILE    SALTS. 

Take  crude  Sal  Ammoniac,  one  ounce,  Pearl  ash,  two 
Igfticos,  and  pound  each  by  itself,  mix  them  well  together, 
and  keep  it  close  stopped  in  a  bottle  for  use.  By  damp- 
ing it  with  spirit  or  essence,  wilV  increase  the  strength. 
This  applied  to  the  nose,  is  good  for  faintness,  and  to  re- 
move pain  in  the  head ;  and  is  much  better  than  what  is 
generally  sold  by  the  apothecaries. 

t 

NERVE    OINTMENT. 

Take  the  bark  of  the  root  of  Bitter-sweet,  two  parts; 
of  wormwood  and  chamomile,  each  equal,  one  part, 
when  green,  or  if  dry,  moisten  it  with  hot  watev;  which 
put  into  horse  or  porpoise  oil,  or  any  kind  of  soft  animal 
oil,  and  simmer  them  over  a  slow  fire  for  twelve  hours; 
iken  strain  it  off,  and  add  one  ounce  of  spirits  of  Tur- 

Eentine  to  each  pound  of  ointment.     To  be  used  for  a 
ruisc,  sprain,  callus,  swelling,  or  for  corns. 

POULTICE. 

Make  a  strong  tea  of  Raspberry  leaves,  or  of  No.  3; 
take  a  cracker  pounded  fine,  and  slippery-elm  bark  pul- 
verized, with  ginger,  and  make  a  poultice  of  the  same. 
This  is  good  for  old  sores,  whitlows,  felons,  and  for  bad 
-  burns,  scalds,  and  parts  frozen.  Apply-this  poultice  and 
renew  it,  at  least  as  often  as  every  twelve  pr  twenty-four 
hours,  and  wash  with  soap  suds  at  every  renewal;  wet- 


ting i 
berry 
a  cur( 


Thi 
est  im 
when 
use  of 
not,  tl 
very  vi 
have  b 
the  pri 
patient 
isterinc 
therefo 
Accc 
are  cer 
tration 
internal 
guard  { 
To  acc( 
remove 
where  t 
taking 
bowels, 
inj^tio 
takl^n  i 
purpose 
warm  t 
of  dyse 
the  bov 
be  disp 
and  bet 
than,  on 
cases, 
tion,  pa 
in  this 
other, 
conside 
this  imp 
where  t 


-  '^'V^';- 


or,  Botanic  Family  PayBician. 


87 


them 
ity  of 
quor, 
about 
Rosia 
,  until 
water, 
ax;    if 
fit  for 
lied  to 
aLn«i89 


sh,  two 
(gether, 
y  damp- 
trength. 
id  to  re- 
\vhat  is 


fo  parts; 
►ne  part, 
which 
)ft,  animal 
ve  hours; 
s  of  Tur- 
sed  for  a 


of  No.  3; 
bark  pul- 
the  same, 
ind  for  bad 
ouUice  and 
wenty-four 
ewal;  wet- 


ting it  in  the  interim  with  cold  water,  or  a  tea  of  Rasp- 
berry leaves,  till  it  discharges;  then  apply  the  salve  till 
a  cure  is  effected. 

INJECTIONS,  or  CLYST&RS.  ,  ^ 

This  manner  of  administering  medicine  is  of  the  great- 
est importance  to  the  sick ;  it  will  frequently  give  relief 
when  all  other  applications  fail.  It  is  supposed  thiU  the 
use  of  them  is  of  great  antiquity;  whether  this  be  trtfe  or 
not,  the  using  them  to  relieve  the  sick,  was  certainly  a 
very  valuable  discovery;  and  no  doubt  thousands  of  lives 
have  beerfsaved  by  it.  The  doctors  Hlive  long  been  in 
the  practice  of  directing  injections  to  be  given  to  their 
patients,  but  they  seem  to  have  no  other  object  in  admin- 
istering them,  than  to  cause  a  movement  in  the  bowels; 
therefore  it  was  immaterial  what  they  were  made  oft 

According  to  the  plan  which  I  have  adopted,  there 
are  certain  important  objects  aimed  at  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  medicine  toyfemove  disease,  viz.  to  raise  the 
internal  heat,  promote  perspiration,  remove  the  canker, 
guard  against  mortification,  and  restore  the  (Vgestion. 
To  accomplish  ^ese  objects,  the  medicine  necessary  to 
remove  the  complaint,  must  be  applied  Jto  that  part 
where  the  disease  is  seated;  if  in  the  stomaoh  only,  by 
taking  the  medicine,  it  mav  be  removed;  but  if  in  the 
bowels,  the  same  compound  must  i)e  administered  by 
inj^tion.  Whatever  is  good  to  cure  disease,  when 
tak^n  into  the  storhach,  is  likewise  good  for  the  same 
purpose  if  giv%n  by  injection,  as  the  grand  object  is  to 
warm  the  bowels,  and  remove  the  canker.  In  all  cases 
of  dyientery,  cholic,  piles,  and  other  complaints,  where 
the  bowels  are  badly  affected,  injectidns  should  never 
be  dispensed  with.  They  are  perfectly  safe  in  all  cases, 
and  better  that  they  be  used  ten  tiines  wheanot  needed, 
thaa,  once  neglected  when  they  are.  Ii^  many  violent 
cases,  particulieyly  where  there  is  dange^  bf  mortifica- 
tion, patients  may  be  relieved  by  administering  medicine 
in  this  way,'  when  there  would  be  no  chance  in  any 
other.  I  do,  therefore,  most  seriously  advise  that  these 
considerations  be  always  borne  in  mind;  and  that 
this  important  way  of  giving  relief,  be  never  neglected, 
where  there  is  any  chance  for  it  to  do  good.     In  many 


"^^^ 


88 


jNeto  Guide  to  Health; 


■     H 


complaints  peculiar  to  females,  they  are  of  the  grentest 
importance  in  giving  relief,  when  properly  attended  to; 
for  which  purpose  it  is  only  necessary  to  repeat  what  has 
been  before  stated;  let  the  remedy  be  applied  with  judg- 
meflit  and  discretion  to  that  pivt  where  the  disease  is 
seated. 

The  common  preparation  for  an  Injection  or  Clyster, 
is  t^ake  a  tea-cupful  of  strong  tea  made  of  No.  3,  strain 
it  on*  when  hot,  and  add  half  a  tea-spoonful  of  No.  ^, 
and  a  tea-spoonful  of  No.  6;  when  cool  enough  to  give, 
add  half  a  tea-spoonfuf  of  No.  1,  and  the  same  quantity 
of  nerve  powder.  Let  it  be  given  with  a  lar^  syringe 
made  for  that  purpose,  or  where  this  cannot  be  had,  a 
bladder  and  pipe  may  be  used.  They  Inist  be  repeated 
as  occasion  may  require,  till  relief  is  obtained. 

B|any  other  articles  may  be  used  to  advantage  in  the 
injections ;  a  tea  of  witch-hazle  and  red-raspberry  leaves, 
either,  or  both  together,  are  very  good  in  many  cases. 
For  canker,  a  tta  of  either  the  a||ticles  described  under 
the  head  of  No.  §,  will  answer  a  good  purpose.  When 
the  danker  is  removed,  the  bowels  will  be  left  Hore,  in 
which  case,  g^e  injections  of  witch-hijfcel  or  raspberry 
leaves  tea,  yf^h  slippery-elm  bark.  When  injections  are 
used  to  moie  th» bowels  only,  No.  1.  should  be  left  out. 
It  is  always  fiaf^to  add  the  nerve  powder,  and  if  there  is 
nervous  symptoms,^t  must  never  be  omitted. 

STOCK  OF  MCDICINK  FOR  A  FAMIIiY. 

1  ounce  of  thp  Emelic  Herb,  ^        .gK, 

2  oui^cea  of  Cayen^^,  ^ 
I  1ft.  feiiyberry  root Hbark,  in  powder, 
J  lb.  of  Poplir  Bark, 

,  lb.  of  Ginger, 
pim'pi'  the  Rtienmatic  Drops.  ^-  * 

This  stock  will  be  sufficient  for  a  fami|y  for  one  year, 
and  with  such  articles  as  they  can  easily  procure  them- 
selves, when  "wanted,  will  enable  them  to  dure  any  dis- 
ease, which  a  family  of  common  size  may  be  afflicted 
with  during  that  time.  The  expense  wilt  be  small,  and 
much  better  than  to  employ  a  doctor,  Md  have  his  ex- 
travagant bill  to  pay. 


# 


I. 

to  thi 
411  two 
be  sal 

2. 

de^h; 

a  frien 

aid  th( 

health. 

3. 
human 
formed 
tute  th< 
fire  am 
and  ma 
cred  fr 
ensues. 
4.     J 
ance  ol 
hyi  any 
dered, 
tion  of 
is  its  opl 

5. 

tion,  wl 
that  mel 
best  call 
pirationj 

6.^ 
digeste( 
on  whici 
to  the  -^U 
ishp^-nt,! 

tollows. 
7.     Of 
or  Jess  of 


4m^''^4lfl^ 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


OENERAIi  DIRKCTIONS 


n 


the 
mil 


In    Curing    or    Prerentlnf    Iii5esa^^0 

1.  Be  careful  to  always  keep  the  determining 
to  the  surface,  by  keeping  the^ifiward  heat  al>o 
outward,  or  the  fountain  above  the  stream,  and 
be  safe. 

2.  It  must  be  recollected  that  heat  is  life,  a/t^  cold, 
de^h;  or  jn  other  words,  cold  is  disease;  that/^fever  is 
a  friend  artd  coldtheenemy;  it  is  therefore  necessary  to 
aid  the  friend  and  oppose  the  enerAy,  in  order  to  restore 
health.  , 

3.  That  the  construction  and  organiTation  of/»* 
human  frame,  is  in  all  men  essentially  thf  same ;  ll^ng 
formed  of  the  four  elements.  Earth  and  water  /insti- 
tute the  solids  of  the  body,  which ^^ade  a^'^e  b 
fire  and  air.  Heat  Ik  a  peculiJr  "Opiner,  i'^ 
and  motion  to  the  whole;  and^ilbei^«ntirel  overpow- 
er ele'^*^^^'  death 


!  by 
lif« 


ered  from  whatever  cause  byi 

ensues.  * 

4.     A  perfect  state  .o£  health  Arises /""f  «  «"« 
.f*L «.„♦..-«  ^r**i,«  ^i^«n*o/and  when 

ore  oc  less  disor- 

fs  afways  a  d^inu- 

iver  of  told,  which 


/onqr  a  due  bal- 
ance of  temperature  oflhe  elfmente'^"**  ^^^^  »'  " 


hy.  any  moans  destroyed, 

dered.     When  this  is  the 

tion  of  heat,  or  an  ii||creai 

is  its  opposite.  /  ,       u  *      *  j 

5.  All  disorders  ai»*  cans*-  ^y  obstructed  perspira- 
tion, which  may  be  pi^duced  ^X  f  g^eat  variety  of  means; 
that  medicine,  the^fore,^«t  be  administered,  that  is 
best  calculated  t(^emov^r"ctions  and  promote  pers- 

6  The  fc**d  take/*"**®  *^®  stomach,  and  being  well 
diaelted  ^ourishe?^  system,  and  keeps  up  that  heat 
on^whicHife  dop'^da;  but  by  constantly  taking  food  in- 
to the -*to'nac'l/^><^^^  is  sometimes  not  suitable  fornour- 
ishp^-ntj  't  bf<^®*  ^oul,  V#that  the  foo^js  not^vell  di- 
ff'Sted;  liur  causes  the  bdjly  to  lose  its  heat,  and  disease 

tollows.  ^  , '      ,  ,        .     , 

7.     Oanker  is  caused  by  cold,  and  there  is  always  mora 

or  less  of4t  in  ^1  cases  of  disease;  continue  to  make  use 


80 


JVew  Guide  to  Health; 


I  i 


of  such  articles  as  are  calculated  to  remove  it,  aa  long; 
as  there  is  any  appearance  of  disorder. 

8.  When  the  disease  is  removed,  make  free  use  of 
those  things  that  are  good  to  restore  the  digestive  now- 
ertf  not  forgetting  to  keep  up  th<i  inward  heat,  by  giving 
oocilbionally,  No.  2.  « 

9.\y<Keep  always  in  |Mnd,  that  an  ounce  of  prevention 
is  b|^er  than  a  pound  of  cure;  and  give  medicine  on  thw 
first  appearance  of  disorder,  before  it  bedomes  seati^d; 
for  it  ^y  be  then  easily  thrown  oS*,  and  much  sickneNg 
and  expVnse  prevented. 

10.  1%  case  of  a  fever,  increase  the  internal  how  by 
giving  hot  medicine,  so  as  to  overpower  the  cold,  when 
ti-e  naturrti  heat  will  ret|irn  inwardly;  and  the  cold 
wi^ertadethe  whole  surface  of  the  body,  a»  the  heat 
ha^ne  beft^re.  This  is  what  is  called  the  iwcn  of  the 
fever.  ^ 

1  !•  'f  No.  ka^hould  sicken  and  not  puke,  there  may 
bo  two  c  uses  ffi^itflviz.  the  coldness  or  acidity  of  the 
stomach;  N- thelbt, -ive  Jfo.  2.  more  freely,  and  for 
the  IWter,  di^olve\  p||  of  pearlash  about  the  size  of 
a  large  pea,  n^  ^vin^  glass  of  water,  and  let  them  take 
It,  which  wHJ  ccj^terftct  the  acidity.  If  this  fails,  nmko 
use  of  the^tearn,  hichwill  opTn  the  pojes,  extract  the 
coW,  and  set  the  i%ej„^  -^^^  operation.  *# 

,  }?'*  ,*"  g'^*"S  "Viicin^|||i  children,  give  about  one 
half,  a  lml<f  more  o^  ad5)rding  to  their  age,  of  the 
qufmtity  directed  for  a  g^^^  ^^^^^  g^  particular  to 
offer  them  drink  often,  Vpeci^y  young  children  who 
cannot  ask  for  it.  '  •'        " 

13  Dysentery  is  causeAw  caAer  on  the  boweli, 
for  which,  make  a  free  use  m\  teaV  No.  3,  with  No. 
2,  and  give  the  same  by  injectfc\  [^  the  first  of  the  dii- 
6ase,  and  aftei ward* give  the  syrujK^  No.?  to  strength- 
en the  stomach  and  bowels,  ani"*tx3tore  U^  digewive 
powers.  '  A 

14.  The  piles  is  canker  below  the  ♦eu.h  of  n^dieine 
given  ir^  the  ujspal  way,  an4|^ust  be  cut^  by  uKng  a 
wash  of  No.  3,  made  strong,  pftid  by  giving  i||v0fetionfi of 
the  same,  with  No.  2?  ^What  is  called  beBn^»  dowu 
pains  in  women,  is  from  the  same  cause;  and  muf»t  be 
relieved  by  injections  made  of  witch-h^e  orife^l  ratip- 


or,  Botanic  Fam'Uij  PhyHician. 


91 


borry  leaf  tea,  steeped  strong,  with  No.  2,  strained.  If 
this  dose  not  give  relief,  go  through  a  regular  course  of 
medicine. 

15.  Women  in  a  state  of  pregnancy,  ought  to  be  car- 
ried through  a  regular  course  of  the  medicine,  espec- 
ially when  near  the  time  of  delivery.  When  in  travai  , 
give  raspberry  leaf  tea,  with  a  toa-spoonful  of  the  com- 
position powders,  or  No.  2,  and  keep  them  in  a  perspira- 
tion. After  delivery,  keep  up  the  internal  heat,  by 
giving  the  composition  powder,  or  No.  2.  This  will 
prevent  cold  and  atler  pains;  if  there  should  be  symp- 
toms of  fever,  carry  them  through  a  regular  course  of 
the  medicine,  which  will  guard  against  all  alarming 
complaints,  peculiar  in  such  cases. 

16.  In  all  cases  of  a  burn,  scald,  or  being  frozen, 
wrap  up  the  part  in  cloths  wet  with  cold  water,  often 
wetting  them  with  the  same,  to  prevent  their  becoming 
dry,  and  be  careful  to  give  hot  medicine,  such  as  No.  2, 
or  the  composition  powders,  to  keep  up  the  inward  heat. 
Pursue  this  plan  for  twelve  hours;  and  then,  if  the  skin 
is  off,  apply  the  "poultice,  or  salve.  If  there  should  be 
convulsions,  or  fever,  a  regular  course  of  the  medicine 
i|;nust  without  fail  be  attended  to. 

17.  When'  a  scald  is  over  the  whole  or  greatest  part 
of  the  body,  apply  cotton  cloth  of  several  thicknesses  to 
the  whole  body,  wet  with  the  tea  of  raspbe#y  leaves, 
thoroughly  wetting  it  with  the  same  to  preveril  it  from 
becoming  dry;  and  give  the  hot  medicine.  When  the 
scald  is  under  the  stocking,  or  any  other  tight  garment, 
let  it  remain  on,  adding  more  cotten  cloths,  and  wet 
the  whole  with  cold  water  as  often  as  the  smart  of  the 
burn  returns.         ■ 

18.  If  the  skin  is  off,  or  in  case  of  an  old  burn,  to 
guard  against  canker,  apply  a  poultice  of  cracker  and 
slippery-elm  bark,  made  with  a  tea  of  raspberry  leaves; 
washing  it  with  soap  suds,  when  the  poultice  is  changed, 
and  then  with  the  same  tea.  When  any  part  is  frozen, 
the  same  method  must  be  taken,  as  for  a  burn. 

19.  For  a  fresh  wound,  cut,  or  bruise,  wash  iipmedi- 
ately  with  cold  water,  and  bind  up  in  cloths  wet  with 
the  same;  keep  a  hot  stone  at  the  feet,  and  take  medi- 
cine to  raise  a  gentle  perspiration;  continue  this  till 


iir,-'  «t;*,  !%£. 


^. 


^i 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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13  WBT  MAIN  STMIT 

WnSTiR,N.Y.  14SM 

(716)  •72-4503 


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92 


Jftw  OuUi  to  Hiidtk; 


* 


the  faiflnmmatton  ii  allayed,  and  the  wound  peirfectly 
cleansed,  then  apply  the  poultice  or  salve,  till  healed. 
The  air  must  be  kept  iVom  all  wounds  or  sores,  as  it 
will  eausf  ,paiii,  and  prevent  them  from  healing. 

^.  In  sudden  ano  deadly  attsbks,  such  as  spotted  or 
yeHbW  fevera,;  fits,  drowned  person,  croup,  &c.  the  heat 
and  activity  of  the  piu|j|ent  fa  so  much  diminished,  that 
Uie  l^mmon  adininiitration  will  not  give  relief;  the  d«r 
termining  power  to  the  lurfacis,  being  so  small,  through 
the  lose  of  internal  heat,  that  it  will  not  give  the  medi- 
cine operation,  ai^  its  effeota  are  resisted,  andcount^r- 
balanced  by  the  pressure  of  the  external  air.  To  coun- 
teract this  preaiure,  keep  the  room,  by  aid  of  a  aood 
fire,  about  as  warm  as  a  summer  heat;  and  more  fiilly 
to  rarify^  and  lighten  the  air,  and  aid  the  operation  of 
the  medicine,  make  a  fVee  uae  of  the  steam  bath;  and 
keep  the  patient  shielded  by  a  blanket,  at  me  same 
time  give  oooaatonallv  Nos.  1  .and  3.  This  course 
should  be  unreiij^fiigiy  perseverflin  till  the  patient  is 
relieved,* 

21.  If  the  glands  are  diy,  so  that  there  is  no  moisture 
in.the  mouth,  or  if  the  patient  is  much  iiressed  for  breath, 
give  a  stfong'tea  of  No.  2,  aweeteneo,  and  repeat  it  till 
the  mouth  becomes  moist.  No.  d,  should  not  be  used 
while  tjie  mouth  is  dry;  if  any  ia  used,  add  a  large  por- 
tion of  N#  2.  f  , 

22.  Bt  careful  not  lo  hive  the  outward  heat  too  high, 
by  too  many  clot^hes  or  Are;  for  if  this  is  the  case,  it 
will  cause  a  balance  of  the  outward  and  iwward  heat, 
.and  will  prevent  the  medicine  flrom  operating,  by  atop- 

'  ping  the  circulation ;  and  the  patientjiill  be  very  much 
distresoed.  When  this  happens,  thrw  cold  vinegar  on 
the  face  and  atomaeh,  and  give  more  hot  medicine,  which 
will  let  down  the  outward  neat,  and  raise  the  inward. 

*  Keep  ilwayi  In  mind  to  a tvs  ths  p«tli>nt  frpih  air  when 
•tramiiifTt  snH  whilt  foinff  tnMH|h  a  oniirne  of  medicine,  by 
meHinff  *  quick  flra  of  ■hnvisgo.  oi  ftry  tifht  #ood,  and  opening 
a  window  at  the  Hiin«  i\mp\  m  litla  will  Immediaiplj  elianjre  the 
foul  air  in  the  wtni,  by  drivinf  It  out,  and  etipplyiny  ii«  place  bj 
the  fr««h  air  Onnt  tli*  surronndinf  alinoiiplierp.  This  mode  is 
•ieentini  ip  all  dlaordwrtboih  in  iini  weather  and  in  cold.  Sienming 
h  not eimsntiil  in  hi't  wmih*t,no9pi  when  gAinn  throneh  a  O'  eras 
ofmedi  «in«  v'^kfker  whioh,  a  ■nnwsf'balh  i«  gnod  in^  the  nrarninff, 
aa  it  leta  duwn  Ihs  outward  lital,#hiob  givi^s  power  to  Ute  iowsrd. 


or,  Botanif  FamUy  Physician. 


93 


as  it 


33.  If  the  patient  is  restless,  wet  the  head  and  body 
with  cold  vinegar;  and  if  there  are  convulsions  or 
spasms,  give  the  nerve  powder  with  No.  2.  Injections 
must  also  be  used. 

24.  Never  make  use  of  physic  in  cases  where  there 
is  canker  inside,  for  it  will  draw  the  determining  powers 
inward,  and  increase  the  disease.  I  have  seen  so  many 
bad  effects  from  giving  physio,  that  I  have  disapproved 
Ihe  use  of  it  altogether;  but  if  any  is  given,  af\er  the 
operation,  be  careful  to  keep  up  the  inward  heat,  so  as 
to  cause  a  free  perspiration. 

2d.  Avoid  all  minerab  used  as  medicine,  such  as  mer- 
cury, arsenic,  antimony,  calomel,  preparations  of  copper 
or  lead ;  and  also  nitre  and  opium.  They  are  all  poison, 
and  deadly  enemies,  to  ^edtn. 

2tf .  Beware  of  bleeding  aod  blisters,  as  they  can 
never  do  any  good,  and  may  be  productive  of  much 
harm;  they  are  contrary  to  nature,  and  strengthen  the 
power  of  the  enemy  ta  health.  Setonsand  issues  should 
also  be  avoided,  as  mey  only  tend  to  ^aste  away  the 
strength  of  the  patient,  without  doing  any  good;  it  is  a 
much  better  way  to  remove  the  cause  by  a  proper  ad- 
ministration of  medicine,  which  will  be  more  certain  and 
safe  in  its  eflTects. 

27.  Be  careful  not  to  make  use  of  salt-petre  in  any 
way  whatever;  it  is  the  greatest  cold  of  any  thing  that 
can  be  taken  into  the  stomach,  and  was  never  intended 
for  any  other  purpose  than  to  destroy  life.  It  Is  a  very 
bad  practice  to  put  it  on  meat,  for  it  destroys  all  the 
juices,  which  is  the  nourishing  part,  and  leaves  the  flesh 
hard  and  difficult  to  digest. 

28.  Never  eat|Kpat  that  is  tainted,  or  any  way  injnr- 
ed)  as  it  will  engender  disease;  for  one  ounce  in  the 
stomach  is  worse  than  the  effluvia  of  a  whole  carcass. 
Eat  salt  provisions  in  hot  weather,  and  fresh  in  cold. 

29.  Be  careful  about  drinking  cold  water,  in  very  hot 
weather,  as  it  will  tend  to  let  down  the  inward  heat  so 
suddenly,  as  to  give  full  power  to  the  cold.  If  this  should 
happen,  its  fatal  effects  may  be  prevented  by  giving  the 
hot  medicine,  to  raise  the  inward  heat  above  the  outward. 
Be  careful  also  not  to  cool  suddenly,  after  being  very 
warm,  in  consequence  of  uncommon  exercis6. 


«%'' 


♦ 


94 


JV*ew. Guide  to  Heatthi 


30.  Remember  that  regularity  in  diet  is  very  impor- 
tant to  preserve  health;  and  that  if  more  food  is  taken 
into  the  stomach,  than  is  well  digested,  it  clogs  the  sys- 
tem and  causes  disease.  Therefore  be  cautious  hot  to 
eat  too  much  at  a  time,  and  have  your  food  well  cooked. 
This  is  very  important  to  those  who  have  weakly  consti- 
tutions. 

31.  Ardent  spirit  is  slow  <j)oison;  it  is  taken  to  stimu- 
late, but  this  effect  is  soon  over,  and  much  use  of  it  de- 
stroys the  tone  of  the  stomach,  injui'es  the  digestive 
powers,  and  causes  disease.  It  is  therefore  much  better^ 
when  the  feelings  require  any  thing  of  the  kind,  to  itake 
use  of  stimulating  medicine,  such  as  Nos.  2  and  d,'  for 
these  will  answer  a  far  better  purpose. 

By  a  strict  observance  of  the  foregoing  directions,  you 
may  save  much  pain  and  expense,  and  enjoy  good  health 
ana  long  life,, which  is  the  earnest  wish  of  the  writer. 


Fsr 


To  make  Milk  Porridge. 

Put  a  quart  of  water  in  a  kettle,  with  a  proper  quan- 
tity of  salt,  and  while  heating,  mix  a  gill  of  flour  in  a 
bowl  with  water,  made  thick,  and  when  the  water  is 
boiling  hot,  drop  this  into  it  with  a.  spoon;  let  it  be 
well  boiled,  then  add  half  a  pint  of  mjlk.  This  to  be 
eaten  while  under  the  operation  of  the  medicine;  and 
is  also  good  food  for  the  sick,  at  any  other  time,  espe- 
cially while  the  stomach  is  weak. 

To  make  Chicken  Broth. 

Take  a  chicken  and  cut  it  in  pieces;  put  the  gizzard 
in  with  it,  opened  and  cleaned,  but  not  peeled.  Boil  it 
till  the  meat  drops  from  the  bone.  Begin  to  give  the 
broth  as  soon  as  there  is  any  strength  in  it;  and  when 
boiled,  eat  some  of  the  meat.  Let  it  be  well  seasoned. 
This  may  be  given  instead  of  the  milk  porridge,  and  is 
very  good  for  weak  patients,  particularly  in  cases  of  the 
dysentery. 


r 


this 
com 
I 


till 

of  a 

met 

layi 

doc 

ofle 

the 

aal 


Wy  Botanic  FamUy  Phyncian. 


95 


impor- 
t  taken 
ae  syt- 
I  hot  to 
cooked. 

consti- 

stimu- 
)f  it  de- 
igestive 
1  better, 
to  ftiake 

e;  for 

ma,  you 
d  health 
rriter. 


er  quan- 
our  in  a 
water  is 
let  it  be 
lis  to  be 
ine;  and 
le,  espe- 


9  gizzard 
.  Boil  it 
give  the 
and  when 
seasoned. 


5e 


and  is 


When  the  operation  of  medicine  is  gone  through, 
I  have  said  that  the  patient  may  eat  any  kind  of  nour- 
ishing food  his  appetite  should  crave;  but  the  best  thing 
is,  to  take  a  slice  of  salt  pork  boiled,  or  beef  steak,  weU 
done,  and  eat  it  with  pepper-sauce ;  or  take  cayenne; 
vinegar  and  salt,  mixed  together,  and  eat  with  it,  which 
is  very  good  to  create  an  appetite,  and  assist  the  digesture* 


/ 


DBSCRIPTION 


Of  MTend  €•••■  ot  D1smm«,  wltli  Dlr«etloiM  homr  iMkmf 

b«   Cured* 


ses  of  the 


FBIiOKS. 

This  sore  always  comes  on  a  joint,  and  is  often  caused 
by  some  strain  or  bruise,  which  makes  a  leak  in  the 
joint  or  muscle,  and  the  sooner  it  has  vent,  the  better. 
If  it  is  brought  to  a  head  by  poulticing,  the  skin  being 
so  thick  that  it  w!U  oflen  be  caiused  to  break  through  the 
back  of  the  hand,  before  it  can  get  through  the  skin  on 
the  inside.  The'  best  way  to  give  it  vent,  that  I  have 
ever  found,  is  to  burn  a  small  piece  of  punk,  the  bigness 
of  half  a  pea,  on  the  place  afibcted.  If  you  think  the  flesh 
is  dead  down  to  the  matter,  you  may  prick  the  point  of  a 
needle  into  the. dead  skin,  and  raise  it  up  and  cut  out  a 
piece  under  the  needle  sufficient  to  let  out  the  matter; 
then  apply  poultice  or  salve.  If  painful,  wrap  it  in  cloths 
of  several  thicknesses,  wet  with  cold  water,  and  repeat 
this  as  often  as  it  becomes  hot  or  painful.  Take  the 
composition  or  warm  medicine,  to  keep  up  an  inward  heat. 

If  the  sore  has  b^eii  several  days  coming,  and  appears 
nearly  ripe,  apply  a  piece  of  unslacked  lime  to  the  part 
affected,  wrap  it  up  and  wet  the  cloth  with  cold  water, 
till  the  lime  is  slacked;  and  repeat  this  till  the  skin  looks 
of  a  purple  color:  then  open  it  as  before  directed.  This 
method  is  more  safe  and  quick  in  causing  a  cure,^aa 
laying  it  open  with  a  knife,  as  is  the  practice  of  some 
doctors.  By  cutting  the  live  flesh,  it  forms  a  leak,  and 
often  spoils  the  joint ;  but  by  searing  them  by  either  of 
the  above  modes,  it  secures  and  prevents  the  leak,  and 
makes  a  speedy  cure. 


96 


•> 


JWio  Guide  to  Health; 
Freexe$  and  Bum», 


These  two  names  of  disorder  are  one  and  the  same 
thing,  and  require  the  same  treatment.  Take  a  cloth 
wet  in  cold  water,  and  wrap  several  thicknesses  round 
or  laid  on  to  the  part,  to  be  kept  wet  as  often  as  the  pain 
increases.  Give  warm  medicine  inside.  Jfthe  scald  is 
dangerous,  carry  them  through  a  regular  course  of  med- 
icine, as  though  they  had  a  lever,  or  any  other  acute  dis- 
order; keep  the  cloth  or  poultice  on  to  secure  it  from 
the  air,  from  twelve  to  fourteen  hours,  till  the  soreness 
or  pain  is  entirely  gone.  If  the  skin  is  off,  a  poultice  of 
flour  bread  wet  with  any  of  the  articles  composing  No. 
3,  and  keep  it  wet  with  this  tea  or  water  till  the  sore  dis- 
charges, then  wash  with  soapsuds;  when  dressed,  wash 
with  the  tea  of  No.  3,  and  continue  the  poultice  or  salve 
until  a  cure  is  effected. 

A  freeze  is  direct  told,  and  a  burn  is  attracted  cold; 
for  as  much  as  the  heat  opens  the  pores  more  than  usual, 
the  cold  follows  and  closes  them  as  much  more  than  they 
were  before  the  operation  of  the  heat;  this  stops  the  per- 
spiration from  going  through  the  surface,  and  the  water 
collects  under  the  grain  of  the  skin,  which  is  called  blis- 
tering; the  water  applied  in  the  cloth  on  the  outside, 
opens  the  pores,  and  lets  the  water  out  by  perspiration, 
and  the  grain  adheres  to  the  skin;  the  pain  ceases,  and 
the  cure  is  completed. 


Cure  of  My  Broiher*8  Son  of  a  Scald. 

He  was  about  14  years  of  age,  ttid  was  taking  off 
from  the  fire  a  kettle  of  boiling  cider,  the  leg.  of  the 
kettle  caught  by  the  log,  tipped  it  forward,  and  poured 
the  cider  boiling  hot,  into  a  Inrge  bed  of  live  embers, 
whicji  covered  his  bare' feet  with  this  hot  mass;  he  was 
obliged  to  hold  on  till  the  kettle  was  set  on  the  floor, 
«nd  then  jumped  into  a  pail  of  cold  water,  and  stood 
there  until  his  father  procured  some  cloths,  which  he 
immediately  wrapt  his  feet  up  in;  his  father  laid  by  the 
fire  to  attend  to  pour  on  water,  to  keep  the  cloths  filled, 
which  keeps  the  air  from  the  surface,  and  eases  the 


kept 

taking 

teris, 

stockili 

happer 

family 

to  go 

in  the 

sensesj 


Bui 
and 
are  tb^ 
stood, 
these 


or,  Botanic  Family  Phyncian. 


VI 


i  samo 
a  cloth 
I  round 
he  pain 
Bcald  ia 
of  med- 
lute  dis- 
it  from 
loreness 
iltice  of 
in|;  No. 
jore  dis- 
id,  wash 
or  salve 

sd  cold; 
in  usual, 
han  they 

the  per- 
le  water 
iled  blis- 

outside, 
ipir&tioD, 
tses,  and 


aking  off 
3g,  ot  the 
d  poured 
embers, 
j;  he  was 
the  floor. 
Mid  stood 
which  he 
lid  by  the 
ths  tilled, 
eases  the 


pmin;  for  as  the  water  wastes  and  lets  the  air  to  the 
burn,  the  pain  will  increase ;  but  by  pursuing  this  course 
for  about  two  hours,  the  pain  abated,  and  the  boy  fell 
asleep.  Water  was  poured  on  the  cloth  but  two  or 
three  times  during  the  rest  of  the  night,  and  in  the  morn- 
ing, preparation  was  made  to  dress  the  wound,  when, 
to  the  surprise  of  all  present,  no  blister  had  arisen,  nor  a 
particle  of  skin  broken.  He  put  on  his  stockingii  and 
shoes  as  usual,  and  went  about  his  work,  perfectly  well. 


Case  of  a  Boy  who  iea«  badly  Scalded. 

A  lady  took  off  from  the  fire  a  tea-kettle  filled  with 
boiling  water,  when  her  little  son,  about  six  years  old, 
stepped  oh  the  bail  and  turned  the  contents  en  to  both  his 
feet,  and  falling,  one  hand  went  iutq the  tea-kettle;  both 
foot  and  one  hand  were  very  badly  scalded.  I  happened 
to  be  present,  and  immediately  tore  up  cloth  sufficient 
to  do  up  each  part,  wetting  them  with  cold  water.  I 
then  put  him  in  bed  and  gave  him  some  warm  medicine, 
put  a  warm  stone  at  his  feet,  and  wet  the  cloths  as  often 
as  he  complained  of  pain.  In  about  two  hdurs  he  fell . 
asleep,  after  which,  two  or  three  times  wetting  the  cloths, 
kept  him  easy  through  the  night.  In  the  morning  on 
taking  off  the  cloths,  there  was  no  appearance  of  blis- 
ters, nor  any  skin  broken ;  and  he  put  on  his  shoes  and 
stockihgs  and  appeared  as  well  as  before  the  accident 
happened.  It  had  been  the  declared  opinion  of  the 
family  the  night  before,  that  the  boy  would  not  be  able 
to  go  to  school  for  a  fortnight;  but  on  finding  him  well 
in  the  morning,  were  hardly  willing  to  believe  their  own 
senses,  or  that  the  child  had  been  scalded.  « 


General  Remarks  on  Bums. 

Burns  are  the  most  easily  cured,  if  rightly  managed 
and  understood,  of  any  wounds  I  ever  attended;  and 
are  the  most  difficult  and  dangerous,  when  not  under- 
stood, and  wrongly  treated.  How  often  have  we  seen 
these  sores  continue  all  winter  and  could  not  be  healed? 
9 

at . 


'^1 


98 


A«te  Otiide  to  HeaUki 


%- 


as  also,  burns  caused  by  blisters  made  with  Spanish 
flies,  which  amount  to  the  same  thing.  By  not  being, 
treated  in  a  proper  manner  in  season,  the  canker  gets  in 
and  eats  out  the  flesh,  after  which  what  is  called  proud 
flesh  fills  up  the  sore.  The  doctor  applies  his  sugar  of 
lead,  vitriol  and  red  precipitate  to  eat  out  the  dead  flesh; 
this  aflects  the  cords  and  draws  them  out  of  shape  and  , 
many  times  makes  a  sore  that  they  cannot  cure,  which 
terminates  in  a  mortifying  canker  sore.  My  friends,  if 
you  wish  to  avoid  all  thi;^  trouble,  attend  to  what  belongs 
to  your  peace  and  comfort,  before  it  is  hidden  from  your 
eyes;  that  is,  to  attend  to  the  canker,  which  always 
awaits  such  cases,  and  where  the  skin  is  ofi",  in  all  ^ases 
of  burns  or  blisters,  apply  a  poultice  of  cracker,  or  elm 
bark  wet  with  a  tea  of  No.  3,  until  the  canker  is  gone. 
Sometimes  add  ginger;  if  the  inflammation  is  high,  add  a 
little  of  No.  2,  with  the  ginger,  keeping  the  poultice  wet 
with  cold  water;  when  the  sore  discharges,  apply  salve 
till  a  cure  is  effected. 

I  shall  continue  my  remarks  on  burns,  by  showing  the 
evil  consequences  arising  from  blistering.      Not   long 
since  I  knew  a  case  where  a  doctor  drew  a  blister  on  a 
child's  breast  up  tor  the  neck,  for  being  stuffed  at  the 
lungs.     It  lingered,  with  this  scald  near  its  vitals,  about 
a  week;  I  was  then  called  to  visit  the  child  and  found 
it  to  be  dying.    The  mother  asked  me  what  I  thought 
was  the   matter  with  it;  I  took  off  the  dressing   and 
showed  her  the  mortified  flesh  all  over  the  blister,  and 
told  her  that  was  the  disorder.     She  seemed  much  sur- 
prised; and  I  then  asked  her  if  the  child    had   been 
scalded  and  it  had  mortified  in  like  manner,  whether  she 
would  have  had  any  doubt  of  its  being  the  cause  of  her 
child's  death  ?  she  said  that  she  should  not.     I  gave  her 
'my  opinion,  that  'tt  was  exactly  a  similar'case,  aind  that 
the  child's  death  was  caused  as  much  by  the  blister  as  it 
would  have  been  by  a  scald.    The  child  died  before 
morning.     I  had  declined'  doing  any  thing  for  it,  as  I 
was  satisfied  that  I  could  do  it  no  good ;  and  if  I  had 
,  made  the  attempt,  it  would  have  been  said  that  I  killed  it. 
I  have  seen  many  cases  where  I  was  perfectly  satis- 
fied that  the  patients  died  in  consequence  of  blisters, 
not  only  on  the  stomach,  but  on  the  head.    In  many 


erne 
nervol 
nightl 
Ibundl 


Wy  Botanic  Family  Phyaician. 


99 


panUh 
being, 

gets  in 
proud 


igar 


of 


I  flesh; 
pe  and  . 

which 
snds,  if 
)elonga 
m  your 

always 

II  ft'ase* 
J  or  elm 
B  gone. 

\\,  add  a 
tlce  wet 
ly  salve 

Bring  the 
fot  long 
er  on  a 
i  at  the 
Is,  about 
[id  found 

thought 
sing  and 
ster,  and 
luch  sur- 
lad  been 
lether  she 
jse  of  her 

gave  her 
,  and  that 
•lister  as  it 
ied  before 
)r  it,  as  I 
d  if  I  had 

I  killed  it. 

Bctly  satis- 

of  blisters, 

In  many 


that  I  have  witnessed,  where  a  blister  was  drawn  on  the 
head,  as  soon  as  it  began  to  draw,  their  senses  were  ^one, 
and  did  not  return  till  they  died  raving,  or  stupitied. 
More  than  half  the  cases  where  the  head  was  shaved  and 
blistered,  that  have  come  within  my  knowledge,  have 
died.  I  never  could  see  any  reason  whv  a  scald  on  the 
head  or  body,  done  on  purpose,  should  have  a  tendency 
to  effect  a  cure,  when  the  person  is  sick,  and  the  same 
thing  happening  to  them  by  accident,  when  well,  should 
destroy  .their  health  or  cause  their  death.  If  a  person 
-should  have  their  head  or  stomach  so  badly  scalded  as  to 
take  off  the  skin,  we  should  consider  them  in  the  most 
dangerous  condition;  but  nothing  is  said  about  it  when 
drawn  on  purpose.  I  shall  leave  it  to  the  reader  to  re- 
concile, if  he  can,  this  inconsistency.  I  have  known 
most  dangerous  stranguries  caused  hy  blisters  on  the 
sides  and  limbs,  and  those  who  applied  them  did  not 
know  the  cause,  and  I  have  been  applied  to  for  relief. 


Motiijication  of  the  lAmba. 

I  was  called  on  to  go  on  board  a  vessel,  at  Eastport, 
to  see  a  young  man,  who  had  had  a  block  fall  from  mast 
head  on  his  foot,  weighing  13  1-2  p6unds,  which  lv  isised 
all  his  toes  to  pieces  except  the  little  one.  The  ac^M'cnt 
happened  on  Friday,  and  I  did  not  see  him  till  the  Tues- 
day following;  during  which  he  had  neither  eat  nor 
slept.  His  nerves  were  much  affected,  and  had  spasms 
and  convulsions  through  the  whole  system.  I  took  off 
the  dressing  from  his  foot,  and  found  it  black,  and  the 
smell  very  offensive.  The  captain  of  the  vessel  appear- 
ed to  be  very  anxious  about  him,  asked,  me  if  I  could 
help  his  foot;  I  told  him  that  I  mifst  first  try  to  save 
his  life,  for  his  whole  body  was  as  much  disordered  as 
his  foot.  He  requested  me  to  do  what  I  thought  best. 
I  put  a  poultice  of  meal  on  his  foot,  and  wet  the  cloth 
with  cold  water,  to  allay  the  heat;  then  gave  him  medi- 
cine the  same  as  though  he  had  been  attacked  with  a 
nervous  fever.  The  captain  attended  him  through  the 
night,  and  I  went  to  see  him  the  next  morning,  and 
Ibund  him  much  better*    The  captain  said  he  was  aston- 


.* 


100 


JSew  Guide  to  Health; 


iflhed  at  the  operation  of  the  medicine,  for  that  his  rom- 
iting  and  sweating  had  carried  off  all  the  pain  in  hit  body 
and  foot,  and  had  also  reconciled  the  nerves. 

I  unbound  his  foot  and  found  that  the  black  and  yellovr 
streaks  up  the  leg  had  disappearitd,  and  on  the  foot,  all 
the  flesh  that  was  alive,  se6med  to  receive  fresh  support 
from  the  body ;  and  the  living  and  dead  flesh  appeared 
as  though  two  colors  were  painted  by  the  side  of  each 
other.  I  then  made  a  lie  of  pearlasn  in  warm  M'ater, 
and  soaked  his  foot  in  it,  which  caused  a  slimy  glaze 
all  over  his  foot;  this  took  away  all  the  offensive  smell; 
and  I  washed  it  v^th  vinegar  to  kill  the  alkali  and  keep 
it  from  irritating  the  skin.  The  acid  cleared  ofl[  all 
the  slimy  matter,  so  that  it  wiped  clean.  I  then  cut 
off  the  great  toe  at  the  middle  joint,  and  the  two  next 
at  the  upper  joint^and  set  the  next,  which  was  broken. 
I  cut  none  ofthellesh  but  what  was  dead,  to  stop  in 
part  the  putrefaction.  I  then  put  on  another  poultice, 
and  ordered  it  to  be  kept  wet  with  cold  water,  and  a 
warm  stone  wrapped  in  a' wet  cloth,  to  be  put  to  his 
feet  to  keep  a  steam,  giving  him  warm  medicines  inside 
to  keep  up  the  inward  heat;  and  by  wetting  the  foot 
with  cold  water,  it  kept  the  determining  power  to  the 
surface.  Thus  raising  the  fountain  and  lowering  the 
stream.  By  this  treatment  it  becomes  impossible  that 
mortification  can  go  from  the  limbs  to  the  body,  any  more 
than  a  log  that  floats  over  the  dam,  can  go  back  again 
into  the  pond,  when  the  fountain  is  kept  mil.  The  next 
day  I  dressed  his  foot  and  found  that  the  dead  flesh  had 
digested  very  much;  I  again  soaked  it  in  pearlash,  and 
then  washed  in  vinegar  as  before,  which  was  of  great 
service  in  allaying  the  bad  smell.  I  then  caused  him 
to  be  carried  through  a  regular  course  of  medicine, 
which  completely  restored  bis  bodily  health;  his  appe- 
tite was  good,  and  all  pain  and  soreness  abated,  so  tliat 
he  tqtfk  food  regularly,  and  lost  no  sleep  afterwards, 
till  he  got  entirely  well,  which  was  in  about  four  weeks. 
The  captain  was  a  very  good  nurse,^  and  was  faithful 
in  attendance  on  the  young  roan  till  he  got  well;  and 
expressed  the  highest  gratitude  for  my  attention  and 
success;  and  as  <-  proof  of  his  confidence  in  the  medi- 
cine, he  purchasea  a  right,  for  which  he  paid  me  t;irenty 


or,  Bolanie  Family  Phytteian, 


101 


Tom- 

yellow 
>ot,  all 
upport 


f  each 
water, 
'  glaze 
smell; 
d  keep 
off  all 
ten  cut 
ro  next 
broken, 
stop  in 
»oultice, 
,  and  a 
i  to  hia 
8  inside 
the  foot 
:  to  the 
ring  the 
ible  that 
,ny  more 
;k  again 
;'he  next 
lesh  had 
ash,  and 
of  great 
ised  him 
nedicine, 
lis  appe- 
I,  so  that 
terwardsj 
ir  weeks. 
s  faithful 
tvell;  and 
ottion  and 
he  medi- 
ae t;Hirenty 


■ilver  dollars,  observing  at  the  iwne  time,  that  he  never 
paid  fur  any  thing  with  more  latiifttotion. 


Old  Canker  Sorti  on  tki  Leg», 

When  I  was  a  young  man,  I  was  much  troubled 
through  the  winter,  for  many  years,  with  sores  on  my 
legs.  At  the  commencement  of  cold  weather,  if  1  broke 
the  grain  on  my  shin,  it  would  become  a  bad  sore,  and 
continue  through  the  winter;  the  canker  would  get  Into 
it  and  eat  to  the  bone,  and  sometimes  spread  under  the 
grain  like  a  burn,  and  feel  the  same,  being  extremely 
sore,  with  stings  and  twinges  like  a  cancer.  These  sores 
were  so  troublesome,  that  it  led  me  to  invent  a  cure; 
finding  the  cause  to  be  cnnker,  I  took  some, of  the  ar- 
ticles composing  No.  3,  steeped  stronff,  and  washed  the 
part  affected  with  it;  if  there  was  a  bad  smell,  I  first 
washed  the  sore  with  stronjg^  soap  suds,  taking  off  all  the 
loose  skin,  which  was  blistered  with  cankery  humor, 
and  then  washed  .with  a  tea  of  No.  3,  to  destroy  the 
canker  and  harden  the  sore;  sometimes  wetting  it  with 
the  drops..  If  the  inflammation  run  high,  and  Uie  sore 
spread  fast,  I  put  into  it  a  pinch  of  fine  No.  2;  then  put 
on  a  poultice  of  white  bread  and  ginger,  wet  with  the 
above  tea,  wrapping  it  up  with  several  thicknesses  of 
cloths  wet  with  cold  water;  wetting  them  as  of\en  as  dry, 
so  as  to  be  painful,  and  did  not  let  the  sore  come  to  the 
air  for  twenty-four  hours.  In  this  time,  if  kept  well  wet 
and  warm,  it  will  discharge  ripe  matter,  and  the  inflam- 
mation and  canker  will  arbate.  When  next  dressed,  wash 
first  with  soap  suds  as  before,  then  with  the  tea;  if  the 
soreness  is  gone,  you  may  apply  the  healing  salve,  with 
the  wet  cloths,  if  going  to  bed,  to  keep  out  the  air^  put 
occasionally  a  hot  stone  wrapped  in  wet  cloths,  to  the 
feet  to  keep  up  a  steam,  and  wetting  the  sore  if  painful 
with  cold  water.  Take  medicine  to  keep  up  the  Inward 
heat;  such  as  composition  or  hot  bitters,  ana  when  these 
do  not  answer  the  purpose,  go  through  a  course  of  tho 
medicine,  and  repeat  as  occasion  may  require.  This 
method,  if  persevered  in,  I  seldom  knew  to  fail  of  suq^ess. 
9* 


:■!?' 


H. 


l(tt 


A*ci0  Guide  to  Health;, 


I  was  called  to  attend  a  case  of  this  kind,  not  long 
■ince,  where  the  inflammation  and  pain  was  very  great, 
and  fast  spreading  under  the  grain  of  the  skin;  there 
had  been  applied  ati  elm  and  ginger  poultice,  mnde  with 
tea  of  No.  3.  I  opened  and  only  added  a  pinch  of  No. 
3,  and  laid  on  the  poultice  again,  putting  on  a  wet  cloth, 
mnd  ordered  it  kept  wet  with  cold  water  till  next  morn- 
ing;  when  oA  dressing  it,  found  the  inflammation  abat- 
edy  the  sore  discharged  ripe  matter,  and  by  two  dress- 
ings more  of  the  same,  the  cure  was  completed. 


r 


Case  of  ike  Bite  of  a  Rat,  euppoaed  to  he  JtfacT. 

Not  long  since,  I  was  sent  for  to  attend  a  man  who 
had  beeq  bitten  on  one  of  his  eyebrows  by  a  rat,  sup- 
posed to  be  mad.  The  wound  healed  in  a  few  days, 
then  turned  purple  round  it,  as  though  the  blood  had 
settled,  and  turned  more  black,  until  he  was  blind.  He 
was  sick  at  the  stomach,  and  had  a  high  fever.  I  car- 
ried him  through  a  course  of  the  medicine,  but  with  little 
advantage.  The  swelling  and  dark  color  progressed 
till  he  was  about  tho  color  of  a  blackberry  pie.  These 
appearances  led  me  to  suspect  that  the  madjiess  of  the 
rat  was  caused  by  eating  ratsbane,  and  communicated 
this  poison  to  the  man  by  the  bite,  as  he  appeared  tho 
•ame  as  a  person  I  had  once  seen,  who  had  been  killed 
by  taking  that  poison.  I  then  waifihed  his  face  with  a 
strong  tea  of  Nos.  1  and  2,  and  gaye  the  same  inward 
with  No.  3,  carried  him  through  another  course  of  med- 
icine, keeping  a  cloth  on  his  face  wet  with  the  ten  as 
before,  to  keep  out  the  air  when  under  the  operation 
of  the  medicine,  to  sweat  his  face  and  throw  the  poison 
out.  I  kept  him  in  a  sweat  for  several  days,  occasion- 
idly  with  his  face  secured  from  the  air,  which  method 
had  th^  desired  effect,  by  bringing  the  poison  out.  By 
continually  keeping  up  the  perspiration,  the  swelling 
abated;  but  whenever  this  was  not  well  attended  to,  so 
as  to  keep  the  determining  powers  to  the  surface,  the 
spasms  would  increase  to  such  a  degree  that  his  life  was 
frequently  despaired  pf.  He  was  carefully  attended  in 
this  manner  about  onomosth,  before  I  could  determine 


or,  Botanic  Family  Phy$ician. 


109 


long 
^reat, 
there 
)  with 
f  No. 
cloth, 
morn- 

abat- 
dreM- 


fad. 

an  who 

at,  Bup- 

w  days, 

ood  bad 

id.    He 
I  cnr- 

/ith  Uttle 

ogreseed 
These 

ss  of  the 

iunicated 
ared  the 
en  killed 
e  with  a 
e  inward 
of  mcd- 
\e  tea  as 
operation 
le  poiRon 
occasion- 
i  method 
out.    By 
swelling 
led  to,  so 
rface,  the 
is  life  was 
(tended  in 
determine 


in  my  own  mind,  whether  the  disease  or  nature  would 
gain  the  victory;  atler  which  time  he  began  gradually 
to  gain  his  health,  and  in  about  six  months,  he  appeared 
to  be  clear  of  the  poison.  The  man  was  sixty  years  of 
age;  and  the  acciaent  happening  in  the  fall  of  the  year, 
it  was  much  more  difficult  to  conquer  this  cold  and  dead- 
ly poison,  than  it  would  have  been  in  warm  'weather. 
This  case  convinced  me  that  the  cause  of  mad  rats  and 
road  cats,  is  owing  to  the  rats  having  been  poisoned  by 
ratsbane,  the  cats  eat  them  and  become  afibcted  by  the 
poison,  which  makes  them  mad,  and  by  biting  the  peo- 
ple, communicate  the. poison,  from  which  many  fatal 
consequences  have  frequently  happened. 


Bad  wound  in  the  Eye  cured. 

While  I  was  at  Eastport,  Maine,  a  man  was  cutting 
turf,  about  twelve  miles  from  that  place,  and  accidentally 
had  a  pitchfork  stuck  into  one  of  his  eyes,  by  a  person 
who  was  pitching "  the  turf  near  him.  It  passed  by 
the  eyeball,  and  stuck  fast  in  the  scull,  so  that  it  was 
with  considerable  exertion  that  he'  could  draw  it  out. 
The  eye  swelled  and  closed  up  immediately,  and  the 

Eeople  were  much  fVightened,  and  sent  fo;  me;  but  it  so 
appened  that  I  could  not  go.  I  gave  directions  to  the 
mi^n  who  came  af^er  me,  to  return  and  carry  him  through 
,  a  course  of  medicine  as  soon  as  possible,  keeping  several 
thicknesses  of  cloth  wet  with  cold  water  on  his  eye,  and 
not  open  it  for  twelve  hours;  and  to  keep  him  in  a 
perspiration  the  whole  time.  This  was  faithfully  attend- 
ed to;  and  on  opening  the  wound  after  the  above  time, 
the  swelling  was  nil  gone,  the  eye  was  open,  and  a  large 

auantity  of  blood  was  in  the  wet  cloth,  which  had  been 
rawn  from  the  eye.  They  continued  the  wet  cUMI,  and 
gave  him  warm  medicine  inside,  keeping  him  iii  a  gentle 
perspiration  for  the  next  twenty-four  hours,  which  clear- 
ed the  eye  of  all  the  blood,  restored  the  sight,  and  amend- 
ed his  health,  that  he  was  well  in  about  a  week,  to  the 
astonishment  of  all  who  saw  him. 


■ye. 


104 


M'  % 


m 


JVetc  Guide  to  Health; 
Cancer  Sores. 


A  concise  and  general  treatise  on  this  violent  and 
often  fatal  disease,  may  convey  some  useful  ideas  on  the 
subject.  The  cause  of  this  sore  is  very  little  understood. 
In  all  sores  of  an  eating  nature,  there  is  more  or  less 
canker,  according  to  their  virulence.  A  cancer  is  the 
highest  degree  of  canker,  being  the  most  powerful  effects 
of  cold,  and  consequently  the  greatest  degree  of  inflam- 
mation; therefore  the  remedies  ought  to  be  those  of  a 
warming  nature,  as  the  greatest  preventives  against  can- 
ker. Whenever  a  violent  inflammation  is  discovered,  it 
is  supposed  that  heat  causes  the  difliculty;  but  the  fact 
is,  it  is  only  evidence  of  a  war  between  heat  and  cold ; 
for  there  is  no  inflammation  where  there  is  perfect  health, 
bfcause  heat  then  bears  complete  rule ;  and  no  disease 
can  take  place  until  the  cold  makes  an  attack  on  the  body, 
ivhiuh  causes  an  unnatural  heat  to  oppose  an  unnatural 
cold ;  wherever  the  cold  takes  possession,  the  inflamma- 
tion shows  itself,  by  stopping  the  circulation;  the  efiect 
is  swelling,  inflamed  callus,  arising  from  some  leak,  caus- 
ed by  the  natural  course  being  stopped.  If  it  suppurates, 
and  discharges,  it  is  called  ulcer,  bile,  and  the  like,  and 
the  canker  goes  off  with  the  putrefaction.  If  the  leak  is 
80  slow  as  to  callus  as  fast  as  they  discharge  it,  it  be- 
comes a  hard  dead  lump  of  flesh,  and  not  having  circula- 
tion enough  to  support  it,  it  begins  to  rot;  here  the  canker 
shows  its  eating  nature;  being  seated  in  the  dead  flesh, 
and  eating  on  the  live  flesh,  which  is  intermixed  with  it, 
causes  pain  and  distress,  in  proportion  as  the  body  is 
filled  with  coldness  and  canker;  if  this  is  sufiicie'nt  to 
keep  the  power  above  the  natural  circulation,  the  patient 
will  continue  in  this  distressed  situation,  being  eaten  up 
ali^^e,  until  worn  out  with  the  pain,  death  comes  as  a 
friend  to  relieve  them.  This  is  the  natural  termination 
of  thiti  4readiul  malady;  which  is  far  better  than  to  com- 
bine with  it  the  common  form  of  practice  in  using  arsenic, 
which  only  helps  to  eat  up  and  distress  the  patient. 

In  order  to  give  a  more  correct  idea  of 'the  dangerous 
•fTect  of  making  use  of  arsenic  in  cancers,  I  shall  make 
a  short  extract  from  Thacher's  Dispensatory,  on  the 
subject ;; — "Arsenic  has  long   been   known  to  be  the 


buig 

■print 

uiiiitf 

fatHl 

Thii 

D«vid 

out    01 

thii  pc 
did  wi 
My  wii 
who  m 
riliid  I 
all  thoi 
would  ( 
to  riik 
Thi 
And  in  ( 
inoouUi 
tumor  ii 
undir  a 
through 
the  bdrii 
and  r@p 
Thi  imi 
painAil  i 
lor  twil 
oer  balgi 
ter  fur 
and  ron 
ger  and 
iyitotn 
hurntjr, 
cin§,  eni 


dian  eon 
tag  pain 
of  thi  ( 
Whir© 
burn  thi 
iainj  am 
to  eradie 
•Aer  the 


Of,  Botanic  FamUy  Phynctan. 


105 


I  and 
)nlhe 
stood, 
r  less 
is  the 
effects 
nflam- 
e  of  a 
at  can- 
sred,  it 
ne  fact 
\  cold; 
health, 
disease 
16  body, 
inaturul 
flamma- 
le  effect 
k,  caus- 
purates, 
ike,  and 
3  leak  is 
it  be- 
circula- 
e  canker 
id  flesh, 
with  it, 
body  is 
icient  to 
patient 
eaten  up 
nes  as  a 
mination 
to  corn- 
arsenic, 
ent. 

angerouB 
all  make 
on  the 
be  the 


buif  of  the  celebrated  cancer  powder.  .  It  has  been 
•prinklid  in  substance  on  the  ulcer;  but  this  mode  of 
Ulhig  it  in  exoesstvely  painful,  and  extremely  dangerous; 
fatttl  effeeti  have  been  produced  from  its  absorption. 
This  faot  I  have  known  in  several  instances,  whore 
DAVidnon'i  agents  and  others  have  undertaken  to  draw 
out  oancers,  when  the  patient  would  absorb  enough  of 
thii  poison,  which  seating  on  the  lungs,  caused  them  to 
dio  with  the  consumption,  in  the  course  of  one  year." 
My  wish,  in  exposing  this  nostrum,  is  to  benefit  those 
who  may  bo  ignorant  of  the  imposition;  for  it  may  be 
relisd  on  as  a  truth,  that  there  is  more  or  less  poison  in 
all  those  burning  plasters,  used  to  cure  cancers;  and  I 
would  advise  all  to  beware  of  them;  it  will  be  much  safer 
to  risk  the  cancer  than  the  cancer  quack. 

Tho  priiieipal  object  aimed  at  is  to  take  out  the  bunch, 
and  in  doing  that  by  the  above  method,  a  worse  evil  is 
inooulated,  which  is  more  fatal  than  the  cancer.  The 
tumor  is  a  mixture  of  live  and  dead  flesh,  and  is  often 
undor  a  live  skin;  if  it  is  necessary  to  make  an  incision 
through  the  live  skin,  in  order  to  dissolve  the  dead  flesh, 
tho  host  way  is  to  bum  a  piece  of  punk  oa  the  place, 
and  repeat  it  till  the  flesh  is  dead  enough  to  suppurate. 
Thi  smart  wilt  be  but  two  or  three  minutes,  and  not  so 
paittflil  as  the  arsenic  for  the  same  time,  which  will  last  ' 
for  twolve  hours.  Where  the  tumor  is  small,  the  can- 
osr  balsam  will  be  found  sufficient,  by  repeating  the  plaa^l 
tor  for  two  or  three  weeks,  to  take  out  the  dead  flesh, 
and  remove  the  canker;  after  this  is  done,  apply  a  gin- 
ger and  elm  poultice,  wet  with  a  tea  of  No.  3.  If  the 
eystem  appears  to  be  generally  affected  with  tiie  cancer 
humor,  earry  them  through  a  common  bourse  of  medi- 
cine, and  repeat  the  same  while  attending  to  the  sore. 

I  had  A  eancer  on  my  foot  about  the  bigness  of  an  In- 
dian eorn,  which  had  trou'jled  me  twice,  by  acut^,  dart- 
ing pains  and  twinges.  I  cured  it  by  applying  a  plaster 
of  the  eanoor  balsam;  repeating  it  twice  at  each  time. 
Where  th^re  is  dead  flesh  under  the  skin,  it  is  best  to 
burn  the  punk  first,  and  then  apply  the  poultice  or  ba)- 
lam  \  and  it  is  also  recommended  to  always  give  medicine 
to  eradieate  the  canker  from  the  system,  both  before  and 
after  the  operation  on  the  sore.        #. 


»  ■ 


106 


JWt0  Otiide  to  Health; 


'^. 


Three  canceri  on  the  breait  have  come  under  my 
care,  that  I  could  not  cure.  One  of  them  was  as  large 
as  a  half  peck  meaaure,  and  grew  fast  to  the  breast 
bone.  I  carried  the  women  through  a  course  of  medi- 
cine several  timei,  and  applied  a  poultice  of  butternut 
shucks,  to  dissolve  the  dead  flesh,  and  continued  this 
course  for  some  months,  until  the  bunch  had  more  than 
half  dissolved,  and  had  grown  off  from  the  bone,  so  that 
it  was  quite  loose;  and  1  was  in  hopes  to  have  effected 
a  cure;  but  she  was  takfin  with  a  fever  in  my  absence, 
and  died.    The  other  two  I  could  relieve,  and  keep  them 

'  free  from  pain,  making  them  comfortable  as  long  as  they 
lived;  but  nature  wae  too  far  exhausted  to  complete  a 
cure.  I  have  had  under  my  care  many  other  cases  of 
cancers  on  the  breait  and  other  parts  of  the  body, 
which  I  had  no  difficulty  In  curing  in  the  manner  before 
stated. 

I  shall  conclude  thia  subject  by  a  few  general  remarks, 
riz:  Guard  thoroughly  against  canker  and  coldness. 
Attend  to  the  canker  by  a  course  of  medicine,  and  re- 
peat it.  Use  the  ginger  poultice  if  the  inflammation  is 
great,  putting  some  No.  it,  raw  in  the  sore,  then  apply 
the  poultice,  Tceeping  it  wet  with  cold  water,  not  forget- 
ting the  composition  and  No.  2.  inside,  at  the  same  time. 
Let  all  poisonous  drugs,  burning  plasters,  and  caustics 
alone.    Attend  faithtutly  to  the  directions  here  given; 

Hlonor  your  own  judgment;  keep  your  money ;  and  bid 
defiance  to  doctors. 


Piles;  how  cured. 

I  was  called  to  attend  an  elderly  man  in  South  Read- 
ing, who  had  been  conflned  to  the  house,  and  much  of 
the  time  to  his  bed,  for  seven  wcfeks,  with  the  Piles. 
Seven  doctors  attended  him  before  I  was  sent  for,  and 
he  had  continued  to  grow  worse.  The  doctors  had 
operated  on  one  side,  and  said  they  must  on  the  other; 
it  was  thoir  opinion,  ai  well  as  his,  that  he  was  in  a  de- 
cline. Tho*side  that  they  had  operated  upon  was  much 
worse  to  cure  than  the  other.  I  carried  him  through  a 
regular  course  of%edicin6  twice  in  three  days,  when 


a  cure. 


Some 
which  K 
glands 
with  th( 
do^not 


or,  Botanic  Family  Phytician. 


107 


r  my 
large 
reast 
nedi- 
ernut 
1  this 

than 
o  thai 
Pected 
ience, 
» them 
8  they 
ilete  a 
Lses  of 

body, 
before 

marks, 
Idness. 
ind  re- 
ition  is 
apply 
brget- 
le  time, 
auatics 
given; 
rnd  bid 


Read- 
nuch  of 

Piles, 
lor,  and 
ors  had 
>  other; 
in  a  de- 
as  much 
rough  A 
B,  when 


he  was  able  to  go  out  of  doors.  The  injection  compos- 
ed of  No.  3,  steeped,  and  a  small  quantity  of  No.  S,  was 
used;  warm  tallow  was  applied  freely  several  times  in 
the  day.  sometimes  washing  e.vternally  with  the  same 
tea.  He  had  been  dieted  very  low ;  I  restored  his  di- 
gestive powers,  and  recovered  his  appetite;  his  sores 
healed,  his  general  health  amended  to  such  a  degree, 
that  he  was  no  more  confined  with  that  complaint.  A 
little  tallow  used  when  going  to  bed,  prevents  piles  and 
chafes  iu  young  and  old.    Remember  this. 


Sore  Heads  in  Children;  j^Scalt  Heads.) 

This  sore  often  comes  afler  having  had  the  itch;  ker- 
nels form  in  the  neck;  it  is  contagious,  being  caused 
by  canker  and  putrefaction.  The  most  eflfectual  way 
to  cure  this  disease,  is  to  carry  them  through  a  course 
of  medicine  several  times,  as  the  case  may  require,  pre- 
vious to  which  the  head  should' be  oiled,  and  covered 
with  cabbage  leaves;  or  draw  a  bladder  over  the  head, 
to  keep  out  the  C0I4  air.  The  head  should  be  covered 
so  as  to  make  it  sweat  as  much  as  possible,  in  order  to 
dissolve  the  hard  scabs.  After  laying  all  night,  the  smell 
will  be  offensive;  wash  the  head  in  soap  suds;  when 
clean,  wash  it  also  with  a  tea  of  No.  3,  after  which  wash 
with  a  tea  of  No.  1.  Sometimes  annoint  it  with  the 
Rheumatic  drops  and  nerve  ointment — let  it  come  to 
the  air  by  degrees.  Be  careful  to  guard  the  stomach 
by  giving  composition,  warm  bitters,  &c.  The  oint- 
ment, drops,  and  No.  1,  in  powder  or  juice,  may  be  oc- 
casionally used  together  or  separate.  Continue  to  wash 
with  soap  suds,  and  then  with  No.  3,  occasionally,  until 
a  cure. is  effected. 


Sore  BreaaU. 

Some  women  suffer  very  much  from  this  complaint, 
which  is  caused  by  cold,  occasioning  obstructions  in  the 
glands  of  the  breast.  When  they  are  swelled,  bathe 
with  the  rheumatic  drops,  or  pepper  vinegar;  if  this 
doQii  not  remove  the  swelling,  and  it  should  be  necessa- 


108 


JV*e«e  Ouide  to  Health; 


17  to  brine  it  to  a  head,  apply  a  poultice  of  lily  root, 
made  thick  with* ginger  and  slippery  #lin  bark;  at  the 
flame  time,  give  'the  composition  powder  or  No.  2,  to 
keep  up  the  inward  heat.  If  the  woman  is  sick,  carry 
her  through  a  regular  course  of  the  medicine,  which  will 
remove  the  complaint  and  restore  her  to  health  in  a  short 
time.  I  have  cured  many  who  were  very  bad,  by  pur- 
suing the  above  plan,  and  never  met  with  difficulty.  I 
attended  a  woman  in  Portsmouth,  who  had  both  breasts 
badly  swelled.  She  was  sitting  by  the  window  with  it 
«up,  and  could  hardly  get  her  breath ;  she  could  not  bear 
to  have  any  fire  in  the  room,  complaining  that  it  made 
her  faint.  I  told,  be^  that  if  I  could  not  make  her  beojr 
heat,  I  could  do  her  no  good.  I  gave  her  some  No.  2, 
to  raise  the  inward  heat,  and  caused  a  good  fire  to  be 
made  in  the  room.  The  inward  heat  gained  as  fast  as 
the  outward,  and  in  one  hour  she  could  bear  as  warm  a 
fire  as  I  could.  I  carried  her  through  three  regular 
courses  of  the  medicine  in  five  days,  and  at  the  same 
time  applied  the  lily  poultice,  which  brought  them  to  a 
head  without  pain;  and  she  was  soon  well. 


,,,  To  stop  Bleeding. 

IitUsrnal  bleeding  is  from  the  stomach  or  lungs,  and 
,  is  caused  by  canker,  or  soreness  of  the  stomach;  it  often 
«'takes  place  very  suddenly,  and  creates  much  alarm. 
The  patient  sometimes  trembles  with  fright,  and  often 
has  fits  of  the  ague,  which  is  caused  by  the  cold  increas- 
ing in  proportion  to  the  loss  of  blond.  In  the  first  place 
shield  them  from  the  air  with  a  blanket,  by  the  fire,  and 
give  the  hottest  medicine  you  have ;  if  nothing  better 
can  be  had,  give  hot  water,  or  any  kind  of  hot  tea;  and 
get  a  perspiration  as  soon  as  possible;  then  apply  the  ' 
steam  bath,  giving  gincer  tea,  or  No.  2,  if  you  have  it, 
if  not,  black  pepper,  as  soon  as  there  is  an  equilibrium 
in  the  drculation,  there  will  be  no  more  pressure  of  the 
blood  to  the  stomach  or  Xuagi,  than  to  thjd  extremitiev, 
and  the  bleeding  will  ceaflte.  It  has  been  my  practice  in 
calKs  of  this  kind,  to  give  ioiie  of  the  rheumatic  drops, 
■lifeld  them  from  the  air  w^  a  blanket,  placed  by  the 


fire; 

No. 

dose 

fail  c 

remoi 

have 

plictttj 

compi 

Ext. 

may  h 

body. 

him  on 

the  woi 

I  then 

then  pu 

to  brin^ 

it  soon  £ 

a  little 

finger,  i 

Wound  a 

with  my 

placed  h 

from  blei 

It  bled  n 


This 

makes  a 

supports 

come  do 

the  skin; 

^^  got  ba 

a  truss., 

length  of  1 

causing 

proved  fe 

swelling  i: 

of  the  mo< 

A  Mr.  ' 

nipture; 


or,  Botanic  Family  Pkyncian. 


109 


root, 
t  the 
2,  to 
carry 
1  will 
short 
r  pur- 

reasts 
^ith  it 
t  bear 

made 
if  beajr 
^o.  2, 

to  be 
fast  as 
rarm  a 
regular 
e  same 
m  to  a 


gg,  and 
it  often 
alarm.  . 
id  often 
lincreas- 
•st  place 
ire,  and 
better 
lea;  and 
pply  the ' 
have  it, 
jilibrium 
e  of  the 
■emitiefif 
lactice  in 
|c  dropf, 
by  the 


fire;  then  give  a  dose  of  the  composition  powders,  and 
No.  2;  and  if  t^ia  does  not  answer  the  purpose,  give  a 
dose  of  No.  1,  which,  with  the  steam,  I  never  knew 
fail  of  stopping  the  blood;  and  by  giving  medicine  to 
remove  the  canker  and  restore  the  digestive  powers,  I 
have  always  been  able  to  eflfect  a  cure.  The  same  ap- 
plication will  answer  for  other  weakening  and  alarming 
complaints  in  women. 

External  bleeding,  caused  by  wounds  in  the  limbs, 
may  be  stopped  by  placing  the  wound  higher  than  the 
body.  One  of  my  sons  cut  his  leg  very  badly ;  I  placed 
him  on  the  floor  and  took  his  foot  in  my  lap;  as  soon  a^ 
the  wound  was  higher  than  the  body,  the  bleeding  ceased. 
I  then  poured  on  cold  water  till  the  wound  was  white; 
then  put  in  a  few  drops  of  No.  6,  took  two  or  three  stitches 
to  bring  the  wound  together,  dressed  it  with  salve,  and 
it  soon  got  well  with  very  little  soreness.  .  Another  case  of 
a  little  girl,  who  cut  off  the  main  artery  of  the  middle 
finger,  and  it  bled  very  fast.  I  put  my  thumb  above  the 
wound  and  stopped  the  blood ;  then  poured  on  cold  water 
with  my  other  hand,  and  washed  the  wound  well;  then 
placed  her  hand  above  her  head,  which  prevented  it 
from  bleeding,  till  I  could  get  ready  to  dress  the  wound. 
It  bled  no  more,  and  soon  got  well. 


Rupture. 

This  difficulty  is  caused  by  a  hurt  or  strain,  which 
makes  a  breach  in  the  tough  film,  or  membrane,  that 
supports  the  bowels  in  their  place,  and  the  intestines 
come  down  into  the  cavity  between  this  membrane  and 
the  skin;  being  sometimes  very  painful  and  difficult  to 
be  got  back;  and  have  to  be  kept  from  coming  down  by 
a  truss. .  When  the  bowels  come  down  and  remain  any 
length  of  time,  they  become  swelled,  and  are  very  painful, 
causing  great  distress  and  danger;  and  sometimes  have 
proved  fatal,  as  they  cannot  be  got  up  again  till  the 
swelling  is  removed.  This  may  be  effected  by  a  course 
of  the  modicinp  without  danger. 

A  Mr.  Woodbury,  of  Durham,  was  troubled  with  a 
rupture;  his  bowels  came  down,  swelled,  and  was  very 
10 


i 


no 


A%i0  Ouide  to  Health; 


painful;  H  doctor  was  sent  for  from  Portsmouth,  vrho  a^ 
plied  a  bag  of  snow,  which  drove  the  paiw  to  the  stomach 
and  caused  puking.  The  swelling  increased,  and  be- 
came very  hard.  The  case  now  becoming  desperate, 
and  the  family  being  alarmed,  I  was  sent  for,  and  on 
hearing  the  circumstances,  sent  some  medicine,  and  ^ave 
directions  to  sweat  him  as  soon  as  possible.  My  direc- 
tions were  faithfully  attended  to,  and  as  soon  as  he  be- 
came warm,  the  nerves  slackened,  the  swelling  abated, 
all  appearance  of  mortification  disappeared,  the  bowels 
went  back,  and  in  twelve  hours  he  was  restored  froml  a 
dangerous  situation,  to  almost  his  usual  state  of  health. 
In  this  case  may  be  seen  the  difference  between  the  ai^ 
tificial  doctor,  and  nature's  physician,  which  is  the  si 
as  between  fire  and  snow. 


**■ 


Ague  in  the  Face. 

This  is  caused  by  cold  in  the  glands  of  the  mouth, 
which  ke&ps  back  the  saliva  till  it  causes  swelling  and 
soreness;  the  /e§nker  becomes  prevalent  at  the   same 
time,  which  causes  severe  pain  in  the  face  and  throat. 
Tllfj^  sooner  a  cure  is  attempted  the  better;  to  effect 
this,  take  a  dose  of  the  tea  of  No.  3,  with  a  tea-spoonfiil 
of  No.  6,  in  it,  for  the  canker;  then  tie  a  small  quantity 
of  No.  S  in  a  fine  piece  of  cloth,  wet  with  No.  6,  and 
put  it  between  the  teeth  and  cheek,  on  the  side  where  the 
pain  is;  set  by  the  fire  covered  by.a blanket,  and  breathe 
the  warm  air  from  the  fire:  this  will  prick  the  jtlands 
and  cause  the  saliva  to  flow  very  freely,  which  wm  take 
out  the  soreness  and  relieve  the  pain.    The  face  may 
be  bathed  at  the  same  time  with  No.  6.    If  the  case 
is  of  long  standing,  so  that  the  system  is  affected,  and 
this  does  not  remove  the  complaint,  give  a  dose  of  No.  1 . 
If  it  is  caused  by  decayed  teeth,  fill  the  hollow  with  cot- 
ton wool,  wet  with  ml  of  summersavory,  or  spirits  of 
turpentine,  which  will  deaden  the  nerv«,  and  stop  its 
aching.    This  is  good  in  all  cases  of  the  teeth-ache, 
tnd  will  generally  effect  a  cure  without  extracting. 


10  ap- 
>inach 
id  be- 
»erate, 
Liid  on 
d  gave 
direc- 
he  be- 
abate^, 
bowels 
from!  a 
health, 
the  arj 
he  81 


3  mouth, 
lUng  and 
;he  same 
dd  throat. 

to  effect 
a-8poonfiil 
U  quantity 
o.  6,  and 

where  the 
nd  breathe 
the  jtlanda 
sh  wffl  take 
I  face  may 
[f  the  case 
fectcd,  and 
je  of  No.  1. 
DW  with  cot- 
or  spirits  of 
and  stop  its 
I  teeth-ache, 
racting. 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 
To  relax  the  Muaclca  in  aelting  a  Bone. 


HI 


This  may  be  done  by  bathing  the  part  with  warm 
water,  and  is  much  better  than  the  method  that  is  gener- 
ally practised,  of  extending  the  muscles  by  the  strength 
of  several  persons,  which  weakens  the  part  so  much, 
that  the'  bones  are  liable  to  get  out  of  place  again ;  be- 
sides, the  operation  causes  severe  pain  to  the  patient  and 
much  trouble  to  the  operator,  which  is  all  obviated  by 
my  method.  In  cases  where  a  joyit  is  put  out,  or  a  bone 
broken,  give  a  dose  of  No.  2,  or  the  composition  pow- 
der with  half  a  tea-spoonful  of  nerve-powder,  which 
will  promote  a  perspiratioA,  prevent  fainting,  and  quiet 
the  nerves;  then  wrap  the  part  in  cloths  wet  with 
water  as  hot  as  it  can  be  borne,  and  pour  on  the  warm 
water,  placing  a  pan  underneath  to  catch  it,  for  a  short 
time,  when  the  muscles  will  become  relaxed,  so  that  the 
bones  may  6e  put  in  their  place  with  Mil|e  trouble. . 

I  was  once  called  to  a  woman  who  had  put  her  elbow 
ou^  of  joint  by  a  fall  from  her  horse.  It  was  badly  out, 
being  twisted  about  one  quarter  of  the  way  round.  I 
ordered  some  water  to  be  made  hot  immediately,  stripped 
her  arni,  and  as  soon  as  the  water  was  hot,  put  a  towel 
in  a  large  tin  pan  and  poured  the  hot  water  on  it  till  well 
wet;  as  soon  as  cbol  enough,  wrapped  it  ruund  her  arm 
from  her  wrist  to  her  shoulder;  then  placed  the  pan  un- 
der her  arm,  and  poured  on  the  water  from  a  pitcher,  as 
hot  as  she  could  bear  it,  for  about  fifleen  minutes.  I 
then  took  off  the  towel  and  directed  one  person  to  take 
hold  of  the  arm  above  the  elbow  and  another  below,  to 
steady  it ;  and  then  placed  my  fingers  against  the  end  of 
the  bone  on  the  under  side,  and  my  thumb  against  that 
OR'the  upper  side,  and  by  a  gentle  pressure  each  way, 
set  the  joint  without  pain,  or  force  on  the  muscles,  to 
the  astonishment  of  all  present,  who  calculated  that  it 
would  require  the  strength  of  several  men.  I  then  wrap- 
ped it  up  with  the  same  towel,  which  had  become  cold; 
this  brought  the  muscles  to  their  proper  tone,  and  kept 
the  joint  firm  in  its  place;  put  her  arm  in  a  sling  and 
she  walked  home  that  night,  about  a  mile,  and  the  next 
day  was  weU>enough  to  knit  all  day. 

In  case  a  shoulder  is  out  of  joint,  I  relax  the  muscles 
in  the  same  manner,  and  put  the  arm  over  my  shoulder 


# 


112 


Jfew  Guide  to  Health; 


and  lift  up,  vfhxch  has  always  put  the  joint  in  its  place, 
without  any  danger  and  with  very  little  pain  to  the  pa- 
tient; and  then  by  applying  cold  water,  the  muscles  will 
become  braced,  so  that  there  will  be  no  danger  of  its 
getting  out  again.  I  knew  of  a  case  where  a  man  had 
his  hip  turned  out,  and  several  doctors  had  exhausted  all 
their  skill  in  vain  to  set  it;  when  one  of  my  agents  be- 
ing present,  undertook  it  by  my  plan  of  treatment,  and 
after  he  had  relaxed  the  muscles  suHiciently,  put  his  knee 
against  the  hip  joint,  and  placing'his  hand  on  the  inside 
of  the  knee,  turned  the  leg  out  and  crowded  the  joint 
into  its  place  without  any  difficulty. 


k\: 


Poison  hy  Ivy  or  Dogwood. 

Many  people  |||re  troubled  with  this  difficulty  every 
season,  and  I  have  been  much  afflicted  with  it  myself  in 
my  younger  days,  often  \>^\ng  poisoned  in  such  manner 
as  to  swell  and  break  out  very  badly,  and  knew  no  rem- 
edy but  to  let  it  have  its  course,  which  was  almost  asi 
bad  as  the  small  pox.  One  of  my  sons  was  often  afflict- 
ed in  this  way,  and  one  season  was  poisoned  three  times, 
so  as  to  be  blind  for  several  days.  I  long  sought  a  rem- 
edy without  success,  till  I  found  it  in  the  emetic  herb. 
By  washing  with  a  tincture  of  the  green  plant  as  is  di- 
rect^ in  the  second  preparation  of  the  emetic  herb,  on 
the  first  appearance  of  the  disease,  is  a  certain  remedy. 
If  the  complaint  has  been  for  any  length  of  time,  and  has 
become  bad,  it  will  be  necessary  to  take  a  dose  of  the  pow- 
dered emetic,  first  preparation,  to  clear  the  system  of  the 
poison,  at  the  same  time  of  washing  with  the  tincture. 
A  tea  made  of  the  powdered  leaves  and  pods,  will  do  to 
wash  with,  when  the  tincture,  or  green  plant  cannot  be 
had.  The  powdered  seeds,  with  Nos.  2  and  6,  third 
preparation,  may  also  be  used  for  the  same  •  purpose. 


Measles. 

This  disease  is  very  common,  especially  among  chil- 
dren, and  is  often  attended  with  bad  consequences,  wbea 


or.  Botanic  Family  Phyncian. 


113 


place, 
lie  pa- 
ea  will 
of  it» 
in  had 
)ted  all 
nts  be- 
lt, and 
is  knee 
i  inside 
ke  joint 


f  every 
lyself  in 
manner 
no  rem- 
Iniost  aa 
n  afflict- 
>e  times, 
it  a  rem- 
lic  herb, 
as  is  di- 
herb,  on 

remedy. 

and  has 

the  pow- 

em  of  the 

tincture, 
will  do  to 
annofr  be 
\  6,  third 
rpose. 


[long  chil" 
ces,  wbea 


not  properly  treated.  It  is  a  high  state  of  canker  and 
putrefaction;  and  if  the  determining  powers  are  kept 
to  the  surface,  it  will  make  its  appearance  on  the  out- 
aide,  and  go  oflTof  itself;  but  if  cold  overpowers  the  in- 
ward heat,  so  as  to  tnrn  the  determining  powers  inward, 
the  disease  will  not  make  its  appearance,  and  the  patient 
will  become  much  distressed,  frequently  producing  fatal 
consequences,  if  some  powerful  stimulant  is  not  admin- 
istered, to  bring  the  disorder  out.  To  give  physic  in 
cases  of  this  kind  is  very  dangerous,  as  it  strengthens 
the  power  of  cold,  and  keeps  the  canker  and  putrelaction 
inside,  which  sometimes  seats  upon  the  lungs  and  causes 
consumption;  or  turns  to  the  stomach  and  bowels,  when 
they  die  suddenly,  as  has  been  the  case  with  hundreds, 
for  a  few  years  past.  I  have  attended  a  great  many 
cases  of  the  measles  in  the  course  oCmy  practice,  and 
never  lost  one;  and  never  have Ifnowilpf  any  that  have 
died  of  this  disorder,  who  were  attended  by  any  of  my 
agents.  When  the  symptoms  make  their  appearance, 
give  a  dose  of  the  composition  powder,  or  of  No.  2; 
then  give  the  tea  of  No.  3,  to  guard  against  canker,  and 
add  some  No.  2^  to  overpower  the  cold ;  and  when  the 
second  dose  is  given,  add  No.  1,  to  clear  the  stomach, 
and  promote  perspiration.  As  soon  as  this  takes  place, 
the  disorder  will  show  itself  on  the  outside.  By  contin- 
uing to  keep  the  determining  power  to  the  surface,  na- 
ture will  take  its  regular  course,  and  the  disease  will  go 
off  without  injuring  the  constitution.  If  the  bowels  ap- 
pear to  be  disordered,  give  an  injection;  and  be  careful 
to  keep  the  patient  warm. 

I  once  had  a  case  of  a  young  woman  who  had  the 
measles;  she  lingered  with  the  symptoms  four  or  five 
days,  and  then  become  very  sick,  turned  of  a  dark  pur- 
ple- color,  and  had  a  high  fever,  when  I  was  called  to 
attend  her.  I  gave  her  a  strong  dose  of  No.  3,  steeped, 
and  put  in  it  a  spoonful  of  the  third  preparation  of  No. 
1,  which  caused  such  a  violent  struggle,  that  I  had  to 
hold  her  in  the  bed;  but  it  was  soon  over,  for  in  about 
ten  minutes  she  vomited,  and  a  perspiration  took  place, 
which  was  fbllowed  by  the  measles  coming  out,  so  that 
she  was  completely  covered  with  the  eruption.  She  was 
soon  well  and  about  her  work. 
10* 


.J0 


114 


Aeie  Guide  to  Health; 


* 


Small  Pox. 

This  disease  is  the  highest  state  of  canker  and  putre- 
faction, which  the  human  Ji)ody  is  capable  of  receiving, 
and  is  the  most  contagious,  being  taken  in  with  the  breath, 
or  may  be  communicated  by  in-noculation,  in  which  case 
it  is  not  so  violent  and  dangerous  as  when  taken  in  the 
natural  way.  The  distressing  and  often  fatal  consequences 
that  have  happened  in  cases  of  the  small  pox,  are  more 
owing  to  the  manner  in  which  it  has  been  treated,  than 
to  the  disease.  The.  fashionable  mode  of  treatment  in 
this  disease,  has  been  to  give  physic,  and  reduce  the 
strength,  by  starving  the  patient  and  keeping  them  cold. 
This  is  contrary  to  common  sense,  as  it  weakens  the 
friend  and  strengthens  tKe  enemy;  and  the  same  cause 
would  produce  similar  effects  in  any  other  disorder.  All 
that  is  necessarygj^to  assist  nature  to  drive  out  the  can- 
ker and  putrefacmn^  which  is  the  cause  of  the  disease, 
by  keeping,  the  determining  powers  to  the  surface,  in 
which  case  there  'will  be  no  danger.  The  same  manner 
of  treatment  should  be  used  in  this  complaint  as  has  been 
directed  for  the  measles.  The  canker-rash,  and  all  kinds 
of  disease  that  a  person  is  not  liable  to  have  but  once, 
such  as  chicken-pox,  swine-pox,  &c.,  are  from  the  same 
cause,  and  must  be  tfeated  in  a  similar  mauner. 


Cough, 

The  general  opinion  is,  that  cough  is  an  enemy  to 
health,  and  ought  to  be  treated  as  such;  but  this  idea  I 
hold  to  be  altogrther  an  error;  for  it  is  the  effect,  and 
not  the  cause  of  disease.  When  the  lungs  are  diseased, 
there  will  be  a  collection  of  matter,  which  must  be 
thrown  oflT;  and  the  cough  is  like  the  pump  of  a  ship, 
which  discharges  the  water,  and  prevents  her  from  sink- 
ing ;  so  also  the  cough  throws  off  what  collects  on  the 
lungs,  which,  if  suffered  to  remain,  would  soon  putrify 
and  cause  death.  It  is  a  common  saying,  that  I  have 
a  bad  cough,  and  can  get  nothing  to  stop  it;  and  the 
doctor  oflen  says,  if  I  could  stop  your  cough,  I  should 
have  hopes  of  a  cure ;  but  this  is  as  unreasonable  as  it 
would  be  to  stop  the  pumps  of  a  ship,  which  would  cause 


being! 

wasnj 

being! 

geste( 

use,  iti 

comes 

Hppeti 

dull 

and  Ic 

is,  to 


W 


or,  Bolanie  Famly  Phyneian, 


116 


putrc- 
iving, 
reath, 
ti  case 
in  the 
ijcnces 
!  more 
I,  than 
lent  in 
ice  the 
m  cold, 
ens  the 
3  cause 
sr.     All 
he  can- 
diseasej 
face,  in 
manner 
tas  been 
all  kinds 
jt  once, 
he  same 


;nemy  to 
us  idea  I 
Feet,  and 
diseased, 

must  be 
)f  a  ship, 
irom  sink- 
ts  on  the 
m  putrify 
at  1  have 
;  and  the 

,  1  should 
able  as  it 
)uld  cause 


her  to  sink  the  sooner.  Ask  n  inllor  whnt  he  would  do, 
and  he  would  say,  keep  the  pumpgoinff  till  you  can  stop 
the  leak,  and  when  thot  is  stopped,  tno  pump  will  be- 
come useless,  as  there  will  bo  nothing  to  throw  off. 
Such  medicine  should  be  given  ns  will  promote  the  cough, 
till  the  cause  can  be  removed,  which  is  cold  and  canker 
on  'the  lungs;  after  this  is  done,  there  will  be  no  more 
cough.  If  a  cough  is  caused  by  n  suddeti  cold,  it  may 
be  removed  by  taking  the  composition  powder  on  going 
to  bed,  with  a  hot  stone  wrapped  in  wet  cloths  put  to  the 
feet,  to  produce  a  perspiration,  and  at  the  same  time  tak- 
ing the  cough  powder,  ^hich  will  make  the  patient  raise 
easy,  and  also  help  to  remove  the  cause.  When  the 
cough  has  become  seated,  and  the  lungi  are  diseased, 
they  must  be  carried  through  a  regular  course  of  the 
medicine,  repeating  the  same  as  occasion  may  require, 
till  a  cure  is  etfected,  at  the  snwe  tiint  giving  the  cough 
powder,  especially  on  going  to  bed. 

Whooping  cough  must  be  treated  in  the  same  manner; 
continue  to  give  the  cough  powders  till  cured. 


Jaundice. 

Much  has  been  said  about  the  bile,  or  Ball,  being  an 
enemy  in  case  of  sickness;  but  this  is  a  mistake,  for  it  is 
a  friend,  and  should  be  treated  us  such.  It  is  the  main 
spring  to  life,  and  the  regulator  of  heolth,  as  without  it 
the  food  could  not  be  digested,  When  people  have  what 
is  called  the  jaundice,  it  is  the  prevailing  opinion  that 
they  have  too  much  bile,  and  it  is  said  they  are  bilious; 
this  is  a  mistaken  notion,  for  there  is  no  such  thing  as 
being  too  much  gall,  it  would  be  more  correct  to  say  there 
was  not  enough.  The  difficultv  is  caused  by  the  stomach 
bein^  cold  and  foul,  so  that  tne  food  is  not  properly  di- 
gested ;  and  the  bile  not  being  appropriated  to  its  natural 
use,  is  diffused  through  the  pores  of  the  skin,  which  be- 
comes of  a  yellow  color.  The  symptoms  are  want  of 
appetite,  costiveness,  faintness,  and  the  patient  will  be 
dull  and  sleepy ;  these  are  evidences  of  bad  digesture, 
and  loss  of  inward  heat.  The  only  way  lo  effect  a  cure 
is,  to  promote  perspiration,  cleanse  the  ttomach)  and  re- 


116 


AVw  Ouide  to  Health; 


■tore  the  digestive  powers,  which  will  cnuse  the  bile  to 
be  used  for  the  purpose  nature  designed  it. 

Nature  has  contrived  that  each  part  of  the  body  should 
perform  its  proper  duty  in  maintaining  health,  and  if 
there  is  no  obstruction,  there  would  never  be  disease. 
The  gall  bladder  grows  on  the  liver,  and  is  placed  be- 
tween that  and  the  stomach,  so  that  when  the  latter  is 
filled  with  food,  the  bile  is  discharged  into  the  stomach 
to  digest  it.  The  bile  never  makes  disorder,  for  it  is 
perfectly  innocent,  being  nature's  friend;  ond  those  ap- 
pearances called  bilious,  show  the  effect  of  diMease,  and 
not  the  cause.  The  gall  is  a  vejy  bitter  substance,  and 
it  is  the  practice  of  the  doctors,  to  order  bitter  medicine 
to  cure  the  jaundice,  and  ibis  seems  to  be  the  universal 
opinion,  which  is  correct;  but  it  cortoinly  contradicts 
the  notion  that  there  is  too  much  bile,  for  it  there  be  too 
much,  why  give  medicine  to  make  more?  I  have  attend- 
ed many  cases  of  this  kind,  and  never  had  any  difficulty 
in  effecting  a  cure.  My  method  is  to  give  No.  2,  or  the 
composition  powders,  to  raise  the  intcrnol  heat,  and  No. 
1,  to  cleanse  the  stomach  and  promote  perspiration; 
then  give  the  bitters,  No.  4,  to  regulate  the  bile  ond  re- 
store the  digestive  powers.  If  the  complaint  has  been  of 
long  standing,  and  the  system  is  much  disordered,  they 
must  be  carried  through  a  regular  course  of  the  medi- 
cine; and  repeat  it  as  occasion  may  require,  at  the  same 
time  give  th6  bitters  two  or  three  times  a  day,  till  the  ap- 
petite is  good,  and  the  digesture  restored.  Any  of  the 
articles  described  under  the  head  of  No.  4,  are  good, 
and  may  be  freely  used  for  all  bilious  complaints. 


WorvM. 

A  great  deal  is  said  about  worms  causing  sickness,  ond 
there  is  scarcely  a  disease  that  children  are  afflicted  with, 
but  what  is  attributed  to  worms.  The  doctors  talk  about 
worm  contplakits,  v/orm  fevers,  worm  cholics,*  &c.,  and 

!»ve  medicine  to  destroy  the  worms;  by  so  doing,  they 
requently  destroy  their  patients.  Thbre  was  never  a 
greater  absurdity  than  their  practice,  and  the  universal 
opinion  about  worms  causing  disease.    The  fact  is,  they 


exis 
less 
troul 
they 
and 
sick, 
worn 
.    to  dia 
Ontur 
this  k 
ach  b 
digest 
the  w« 
The 
mel  a 
pear  t 
very  \\ 
not  bt 
of  thel 
after 
•ick ; 
wormsj 
causec 
fast; 
child 
child 
throwil 
saved 
^t  mus 
practic 
man  wl 
pet  ridf 
I  had  ( 
the  caj 


or^  Bofanie  Famih/  Phytidan, 


in 


lie  to 

thould 
and  if 
lacase. 
ed  be- 
ittcr  is 
tomach 
or  it  i« 
()ge  ap- 
se, and 
?e,  and 
ledicine 
niversal 
ttradicts 
e  be  too 
3  attend- 
jifficuUy 
2,  or  the 
and  No. 
i|)iiation; 
ft  and  re- 
is  been  of 
ed,  they 
he  medi- 
the  same 
ill  the  ap- 
ny  of  the 
ire  good, 

t8. 


cncBS,  and 
icted  with, 
talk  about 

» itc,  and 
oing,  they 
18  never  a 
e  universal 

ct  is,  they 


are  created,  and  exist  in  the  stomach  and  bowels  for  a 
uieful  purpose,  and  are  fricndl|  to  health,  instead  of  be- 
intf  an  enemy;  they  are  bred  and  supported  by  the  cold 
pmegm  that  collects  in  the  stomach  and  bowels;  this  is 
their  element;  and  the  more  there  is  of  it,  the  more 
there  will  be  of  the  worms;  they  never  cause  disease, 
but  are  caused  by  it.  Those  who  are  in  hcaUh,  are  never 
troubled  with  worms,  because  they  are  then  quiet,  and 
exist  in  their  natiirni  clement;  every  one  has  more  or 
less  of  thorn;  and  the  reason  why  children  are  more 
troubled  with  what  is  called  worm  complaints,  is  because 
they  are  more  subject  to  be  disorderca  in  their  stomach 
and  bowels  than  grown  persons.  When  children  are 
sick,  and  their  breath  smeljs  bad,  it  is  said  they  have 
worms,  and  everything  is  laid  to  them;  but  this  is  owing 
to  disease  caused  by  canker,  for  there  is  nothing  in  the 
paturo  of  worms  that  can  affect  the  breath.  In  cases  of 
this  kind,  the  only  thing  necessary  is  to  cleanse  the  stom- 
ach by  getting  rid  of  the  cold  phlegm,  and  restofing  the 
digestive  powers,  when  there  will  be  no  difficulty  with 
the  worms. 

The  common  practice  of  the  doctors  is  to  give  calo- 
mel  and  other  poisons  to  kill  the  worms;  this  must  ap- 
pear to  any  one,  who  examines  into  the  subject,  to  be 
very  wrong  as  well  as  dangerous;  for  the  worms  can- 
not be  killed  by  it,  without  poisoning  the  whole  contents 
of  the  stomach.  I  once  knew  of  a  case  of  a  child  who, 
afler  eating  a  breakfast  of  bread  and  milk,  was  taken 
sick ;  a  doctor  was  sent  for,  who  said  it  \^as  caused  by 
worms,  and  gave  a  dose  of  calomel  to  destroy  them,  whidh 
caused  fits;  the  child  vomited  and  threw  up  its  break- 
fast; a  dog  that  happened  to  be  in  the  room  eat  what  the 
child  threw  up;  he  was  soon  taken  sick  and  died;  the 
child  got  well.  The  fortunate  accident  of  the  child's 
throwing  oflT  its  stomach  what  it  had  taken,  probably 
saved  its  life,  for  if  there  was  poison  enough  to  kill  a  dog, 
it  must  have  killed  the  child.  The  absurdity  of  such 
practice  is  like  the  story  related  by  Dr.  Franklin,  of  a 
man  who  was  troubled  with  a  weasle  in  his  barn,  and  to 
get  rid  of  the  weasle  he  set  fire  to  his  barn  and  burnt  it  up. 
I  had  the  following  relation  from  the  doctor  who  attended 
the  cases;  three  children  had  what  he  called  a  worm  fe^i 


118 


JVew  Chiide  to  Health; 


ver;  and  he  undertook  to  kill  the  worms.  One  of  them 
died,  and  he  requested  liberty  to  open  it  to  see  what  would 
destroy  worms,  in  order  to  know  how  to  cure  the  others; 
but  the  parents  would  not  consent.  The  second  died, 
and  the  parents  consented  to  have  it  opened;  but  after 
searching  the  stomach  and  bowels,  to  their  surprise,  no 
worms  could  be  found.  The  third  soon  after  died.  The 
fact  was,  their  death  was  caused  by  canker  on  the  stom- 
ach and  bowels,  and  the  medicine  given  increased  the 
difficulty  by  drawing  the  determining  powers  inward, 
which  aided  the  cold  to  promote  the  canker.  Where 
children  die  by  such  treatment,  the  blame  is  all  laid  to 
the  worms,  and  the  doctor  escapes  censure. 

1  have  had  a  great  deal  of  experience  in  what  are 
called  worm  complaints;  and  after  having  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  real  cause,  have  had  no  difficulty  in 
curing  all  that  I  have  undertaken.  I  began  with  my 
own  children.  One  of  them  was  troubled  with  what 
was  supposed  to  be  worms;  I  employed  a  doctor,  who 
gave  pink  "root,  and  then  physic  to  carry  it  off  with  the 
worms.  It  would  shortly  after  have  another  turn,  which 
would  be  worse;  he  went  on  in  this  way,  and  the  worms 
kept  increasing,  till  I  became  satisfied  that  he  was 
working  on  the  effect,  and  neglected  the  cause,  when 
I  dismissed  him,  and  undertook  the  cure  myself  I  first- 
ly gave  the  warmest  medicine  I  then  knew  of  to  clear 
off  the  cold  phlegm;  and  gave  bitter  medicine,  such  as 
poplar  bark,  wormwood,  tansy,  and  physic  made  of  the 
twigs  of  butternut,  to  cleanse  the  stomach  and  to  cor- 
rect the  bile.  By  pursuing  this  plan,  the  child  soon  got 
well,  and  was  no  more  troubled  with  worms.  A  child 
in  the  neighborhood  where  I  lived,  about  six  years  old, 
was  taken  sick  in  the  morning,  and  the  doctor  was  sent 
for,  who  gave  medicine  for  worms;  soon  after,  it  had 
fits,  and  continued  in  convulsions  during  the  day,  and 
at  night  died.  I  was  satisfied  that  its  death  was  hasten- 
ed, if  not  caused,  by  what  was  given.  When  the  stom- 
ach is  diseased,  or  when  poison  is  taken  into  it,  the 
worms  try  to  flee  from  their  danger,  which  causes  dis- 
tress, and  they  sometimes  get  into  knots  and  stop  the 
passages  to  the  stomach.  Much  more  might  be  said  on 
this  subject;  but  enough  has  been  stated  to  put  those 


aa  unt 
th@  «t( 
thgra 
wti  e 
had  a 
and  w^ 

day  be 
about 
wag  tal 
oount 
ber  thi 
took  tl 


M^ 

1^^^ 


and 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician.  119 

# 
who  attend  to  it  on  their  guard  against  the  dangerous 
praettea  of  giving  medicine  to  kill  worms. 

My  practice  has  been  what  I  shall  recommend  to  oth- 
eri  to  do,  in  case  of  what  is  called  worm  complaints,  to 
giv€  the  composition  powders,  or  No.  %  to  warm  the 
atomach,  a  tea  of  No.  3,  to  remove  the  canker,  and  the 
bitters  or  either  of  the  articles  described  under  No.  4,  to 
correct  the  bile.  If  they  are  bad,  carry  them  through  a 
eourae  of  the  medicine,  and  give  the  bitters.  When 
there  are  nervous  symptoms  give  the  nerve  powder.  In- 
jeotions  should  also  be  frequently  given.  The  butternut 
gvrup  is  very  good.  If  there  should  be  danger  of  mor- 
tifloation,  make  use  of  No.  6,  both  in  the  medicine  giv- 
en, and  in  the  injections. 

The  tape>worm  is  from  the  same  cause  as  other  worms, 
and  may  be  cured  in  the  same  manner.  They  are,  when 
lingle,  about  half  an  inch  long,  and  one  third  as  wide; 
they  join  together  and  appear  like  tape,  and  oflen  come 
away  in  long  pieces  of  several  yards.  I  was  once  trou- 
bled with  them,  and  used  to  be  faint,  and  have  no  appe- 
tite; 1  cured  myself  by  taking  the  butternut  physic, 
whieh  brought  away  several  yards  at  a  time ;  and  by  tak- 
ing the  bitter  medicine,  to  ^orrect  the  bile,  was  never 
troubled  with  it  a^ain. 

I  have  oflen  heard  about  people  having  a  greedy-worm; 
but  this  is  a  mistaken  notion,  for  there  was  never  any 
aueh  thing.  The  difficulty  is  the  stomach  being  cold  and 
diitordered,  so  that  the  food  is  not  properly  digested, 
paises  off  without  nourishing  the  system,  and  this  creates 
an  unnatural  appetite.  Remove  the  cause  by  warming 
the  stomach  and  correcting  the  digestive  powers,  ana 
there  will  be  no  farther  difficulty.  In  the  year  1805,  I 
waa  called  to  see  a  young  woman  who  it  was  supposed 
had  a  greedy-worm.  It  was  thought  to  be  very  large, 
and  would  frequently  get  into  her  throat  and  choke  her, 
almost  stopping  her  breath.  Her  mother  told  me  that  the 
day  before,  one  of  the  neighbors  was  in,  and  told  a  story 
about  a  person  having  a  monster  in  their  stomach,  which 
was  taken  in  by  drinking  at  a  brook.  This  terrible  ac- 
oount  so  frightened  her  daughter,  that  the  worm  rose  into 
her  throat,  and  choked  her  so  bad  that  she  had  fits.  I 
took  the  girl  home  with  me,  and  gave  her  a  dose  of  hot 


^9 


120  mw  Quid*  U>  HeaUh; 

bittera,  with  lome  of  the  norve  powder  that  night;  the 
next  morning  I  carried  licf  through  a  course  ot*  the  med- 
icine«  as  weU  as  I  knew, at  that  time,  which  cleared  the 
stomach  and  bowelt,  and  itrengthened  the  nervous  sys- 
tem. I  told  her  there  wai  no  worm  that  troubled  her, 
and  she  had  faith  in  what  I  said.  1  gave  her  medicine  to 
correct  the  bile  and  restore  the  digesture,  and  she  soon 

got  well,  being  no  more  troubled  about  the  worm.  The 
itiicuUy  was  caused  by  a  disordered  stomach,  and  want 
of  digesture,  which  produced  spasms  in  the  stomach  and 
throat. 

CoMumption.  ^* 

This  complaint  is  generally  caused  by  some  acute  dis- 
order not  being  removed,  and  the  patient  being  run  down 
by  the  fashionable  practice,  until  nature  makes  a  com- 
promise with  disease,  and  the  house  becomes  divided 
against  itself,  There  is  a  constant  warfare  kept  up  be- 
tween the  inward  heat  end  cold,  the  flesh  wastes  away  in 
consequence  of  not  digesting  the  food,  the  canker  be- 
comes seated  on  the  stomach  and  bowels,  and  then  takes 
hold  of  the  lungs.  When  tj^ey  get  into  this  situation,  it 
is  called  a  seated  consumption,  and  is  pronounced  by  the 
doctors  to  be  incurable.  1  have  had  a  great  many  cases 
of  this  kind,  and  have  in  all  of  them,  where  there  was 
life  enough  lellt  to  build  upon,  been  able  to  effect  a  cure 
by  my  system  of  practice.  The  most  important  thing  is 
to  raise  the  inward  heat,  and  get  a  perspiration,  clear  the 
system  of  canker,  and  restore  the  digestive  powers,  so  that 
food  will  nourish  the  body  and  keep  up  that  heat  on  which 
life  depends.  This  must  be  done  by  the  regular  course 
of  medicine,  as  hai  been  directed  in  all  violent  attacks 
of  disease,  and  persevering  in  it  till  the  cause  is  removed. 

This  complaint  is  called  by  (he  doctors  a  hectic  fever, 
because  they  are  subj^ict  to  cold  chills,  and  hot  flashes  on 
the  surface ;  but  this  is  an  error,  for  there  is  no  fever 
about  it;  and  this  is  the  greatest  difliculty;  if  there  were 
a  fever,  it  would  have  a  crisis,  and  nature  would  be  able 
to  drive  out  the  cold  and  effect  a  cure;  the  only  difliculty 
is  to  raise  a  fever,  which  must  be  done  by  such  medi- 
cine M  will  raise  and  hold  the  inward  heat  till  nature 


way  toe 
till  they 
which  fii 


or,  Boiawib  Family  Physician. 


121 


has  the  complete  command.  >  When  patients  are  very 
weak  and  low,  they  will  have  what  is  called  cold  sweats; 
the  cause  of  this  is  not  understood ;  the  water  th^&t  col- 
lects on  the  skin  does  not  come  through  the  pores,  but  is 
attracted  from  the  air  in  the  room,  which  is  wwmer  than 
the  body,  and  condenses  on  the  surface;  th|L8ame  may 
be  seen  on  the  outside  of  a  mug  or  tumbJSr,  on  a  hot 
day  when  filled  with  cold  water,  which  is  from  the  same 
cause.  It  is  of  more  importance  to  attend  to  the  pre- 
venting of  this  complaint,  than  to  cure  it.  If  people 
would  make  use  of  those  means  which  I  have  recom- 
mended, and  cure  themselves  of  disease,  in  its  first  stag- 
es, and  avoid  all  poisonous  drugs,  there  would  never  be 
a  case  of  consumption,  or  any  other  chronic  disorder. 


Fiia. 

These  are  produced  by  the  same  cause  as  other  com- 
plaints, that  is,  cokl  and  obstructions;  and  may  be  cured 
by  a  regular  course  of  the  medicine,  which  overpowers 
the  cold,  promotes  perspiration,  and  restores  the  diges- 
tive powers.  Poison,  or  any  thing  else,  which  gives  the 
cold  power  over  the  inward  heat,  will  cause  fits,  because 
the  natural  tone  of  the  muscular  poWer  is  thereby  de- 
stroyed, which  produces  violent  spasms  on  the  whole  sys- 
tem. So  much  has  already  been  said  on  this  subject, 
that  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  more,  to  give  a  correct  idea 
of  the  manner  of  cure. 


St.  ^nthony*8  Fire,  JVettle  Spring,  or  Surfeit. 

These  are  all  caused  by  overheating.^he  system  and 
cooling  too  suddenly,  which  leaves  the  pores  obstructed, 
and  then  by  taking  more  cold,  will  bring  on  the  warfare 
between  cold  and  heat,  when  they  break  out  and  itch 
and  smart,  as  if  stung  by  an  insect.  When  the  h^at 
gets  a  little  the  upper  hand,  so  as  to  produce  perapirajtioii, 
it  will  disappear  till  they  get  another  cold.  The  ojify 
way  toeflfect  acureisto  give  the  hot  medicine,  and  steani 
till  they  are  brought  to  the  same  state  of  heat  as'^hat 
which  first  caused  the  disease,  and  then  cool  by  degrees. 


122 


A*ei0  Guide  to  SktUth; 


This  I  have  proved  in  several  instances,  and  never  had 
any  difficulty  in  entirely  removing  the  cause  in  this  way. 
Make^ise  of  a  tea  of  No.  3,  for  canker,  and  the  bitters  to 
correct  the  bile,  and  a  little  nerve  powder  to  quiet  the 
nerves,  a^d  they  will  soon  be  restored  to  perfect  hsalth. 


Strangury,  or  Gravel. 

This  disorder  is  often  caused  by  hard  labor,  and  ex- 
posure to  cold,  in  the  early  part  of  life;  and  when  they 
grow  old  their  heat  diminishes,  the  bile  becomes  thick, 
and  a  sediment  collects  in  the  bladder,  which  obstructs 
the  passages;  the  glands  through  which  the  urine  passes 
are  clogged  and  become  diseased,  so  that  there  is  a 
difficulty  in  voiding  the  water,  which  causes  great  pain. 
It  is  seldom  that  there  is  a  cure  in  such  cases;  but  re- 
lief may  be  obtained,  by  a  course  of  the  medicine,  and 
making  free  use  of  the  poplar  bark  tea.  A  tea  of  the 
hemlock  boughs  is  very  good ;  and  also  I  have  known 
great  relief  from  using  the  wild  lettuce  and  pipsisway, 
the  tops  and  roots  bruised  and  steeped  in  hot  water. 
Many  other  articles  that  are  good  to  promote  the  urine 
may  be  used  to  advantage. 


Dropsy. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  this  complaint;  one  is  caused 
by  losing  the  inward  heat  so  as  to  stop  the  natural  per- 
spiration, which  causes  the  water  that  is  usually  thrown 
off  in  this  way,  to  collect  in  the  body  and  limbs.  This 
may  be  cured  by  raising  the  internal  heat  and  causing 
a  profuse  perspiration,  when  the  water  will  pass  off  ia  a 
natural  way ;  then  make  use  of  such  medicine  as  will 
remove  canker  and  restore  the  digestive  powers,  when 
the  food  being  digested  will  keep  up  the  natural  heat 
of  the  body  and  continue  the  perspiration.    The  other 

rig  caused  hyr  cold  and  obstruction;  but  instead  of 
water  collecting  and  remaining  in  the  body  and 
limbs,  a  leak  forms  in  the  glands  and  lets  it  into  the 
tmak  of  the  body,  where  there  is  no  vent  to  let  it  off. 


The 
means 
or  pail 
never  c j 
disordej 
is  filled 
from  thi 
after  tl 
very  soj 
the  hot! 
give  th{ 
cure  is 
a  cours^ 


This 
or  wanti 
curing 
made  uj 


or,  Botanio  Family  Phyncian. 


123 


had 
way. 
rsto 
;  the 
salth. 


,d  ex- 

i  they 
thick, 
itructs 
passes 
e  is  a 
t  pain, 
mt  re- 
e,  and 

of  the 
known 
sisway, 

water, 
e  urine 


}  caused 
iral  per- 

thrown 
IS.    This 

causing 
isoffiaa 

as  will 
jrs,  when 
ural  heat 
:he  other 
Qstead  of 
body  and 
t  into  the 
let  it  off. 


This  cannot  be  cured  without  tappings  and  is  very  sel- 
dom completely  cured.  I  have  never  knovn  but  two 
who  were  in  this  situation  to  be  perfectly  renbred.  One 
was  a  girl  whom  I  attended;  I  tapped  her  and  took  away 
seventeen  pounds  of  water;  then  swathed  her  up  close, 
and  gave  medicine  to  keep  a  perspiration;  she  did  not 
fill  again,  and  was  completely  cured.  TkiMUher  was  a 
man,  he  had  been  tapped  twice.  I  carried  him  through 
the  course  of  medicine  several  times,  and  gave  the  juni- 
per ashes,  with  molasses  and  gin,  which  carried  off  large 
quantities  of  water,  and  he  entirely  recovered  Aom  the 
disorder.  I  have  cured  a  number,  who  had  the  first 
mentioned  complaint,  by  the  common  course  of  medi- 
cine ;  one  woman  was  cured  by  taking  the  wild  lettuce, 
bruised  and  steeped  in  hot  water.  Mention  has  been 
made  of  several  cases  of  this  disease,  in  my  narrative, 
which  were  cured;  and  enough  has  been  said  to  give  an 
idea  of  the  cause,  and  manner  of  treatment. 


Bilious  Cholic. 


The  name  of  this  complaint  is  erroneous;  for  bilious 
means  the  bile,  and  no  one  ever  heard  of  a  bile  cholic, 
or  pain  caused  by  gall,  as  it  is  a  friend  to  health,  and 
never  caused  disease  or  death.  This  pain  is  caused  by  a 
disordered  stomach  and  want  of  digesture ;  the  stomach 
is  filled  with  canker,  which  gets  into  the  narrow  passage 
from  the  stomach,  when  the  action  of  the  bowels  ceases; 
after  the  pain  subsides,  those  parts  where  it  was,  are 
very  sore.  To  cure  it,  raise  the  inward  heat,  by  giving 
the  hot  medicine,  remove  the  canker  with  No.  3,  and 
give  the  bitters  to  correct  the  bile,  and  repeat  it,  till  a 
cure, is  effected.  If  the  case  is  bad,  carry  them  through 
a  course  of  the  medicine,  and  often  give  injections. 


Pleurisy. 

,  This  is  a  distressing  complaint,  and  is  caused  by  cold, 
Or  want  of  inward  heat ;  I  never  had  any  difficulty  in 
curing  it  by  my  common  practice.  The  only  remedy 
made  use  of  by  the  doctors,  is  to  bleed;  this  only  in- 


124 


JVeto  Guide  to  Health; 


creases  the  disease,  by  reducing  the  strength  of  the  pa- 
tient, with^^  removing  the  cause.  I  was  once  called  to 
a  soldier  affilastport,  who  had  a  violent  pain  in  his  side ; 
the  doctor  that  attended  him,  had  bled  him  five  times, 
without  removing  the  pain,  which  made  him  so  weak, 
that  it  waij  with  difficulty  he  could  be  held  up  in  the  bed. 
I  relieved  JiImi  in  one  hour,  by  a  common  course  of  med- 
icine, and  bathing  his  side  with  the  rheumatic  drops.  It 
took  three  weeks  to  get  up  his  strength,  which  might 
have  been  done  in  three  days,  if  he  had  not  been  bled. 
I  was  called  to  another  case  of  the  kind,  of  a  soldier.  At 
the  same  place.  He'  had  been  bled,  and  a  large  blister 
put  on  his  side  to  remove  the  pain,  which  caused  a  stran- 
gury, and  he  was  in  great  distress.  I  declined  doing 
any  thing  for  him  without  the  consent  of  the  command- 
ing officer,  who  was  not  present.  The  soldier  begged  of 
me  to  tell  him  what  to  do  for  the  latter  complaint,  as  he 
could  not  live  sb.  I  told  him  to  take  off  the  blister,  which 
was  immediately  done,  and  it  gave  instant  relief.  By 
carrying  them  through  a  course  of  medicine-,  as  has  been 
directed  for  other  violent  attacks,  it  will  cure  all  cases  of 
this  complaint  without  danger;  and  it  is  much  bettor  than 
bleeding,  or  blisters,  which  only  increases  the  difficulty. 


i>» 


Relax. 

This  complaint  is  caused  by  indigestion,  or  loss  of 
the  powers  of  the  gall,  which  becomes  thick,  in  conse- 
quence of  cold,  or  loss  of  inward  heat,  when  the  stomach 
will  be  sour.  The  best  remedy  is,  to  give  No.  2,  which 
will  thin  the  gall ;  cleanse  the  stomach  with  No.  1 ,  and 
give  the  bitters  to  correct  the  digesture.  A  dose  of  the 
composition  powders,  with  a  tea-spoonful  of  No.  6,  in  it, 
will  in  most  cases  effect  a  cure.  The  bayberry  and  pop- 
lar bark  is  good,  and  also  many  other  ^'^icies  that  have 
been  described  as  good  to  restore  the  digestive  powers. 


Dysentery.  "'  ^ 

'    This  is  a  distressing  complaint,  and  is  very  common, 
especially  among  children;  although  much  has  already 


or,  Bolantc  Family  Physician. 


125 


he  pa- 
lled to 
3  side ; 
times, 
weak, 
lie  bed. 
)f  med- 
ips.     It 
I  might 
;n  bled, 
dier,  at 
)  blister 
a  stran- 
d  doing 
mmand- 
egged  of 
it,  as  he 
jr,  which 
lief.    By 
has  been 
cases  of 
tier  than 
difficulty. 


been  said  on  this  subject ;  yet  its  importance  will  justify 
some  further  directions.  It  is  caused  by>|sold,  which 
gets  the  ascendancy  over  the  inward  heat,  W  as  to  draw 
all  the  determining  powers  inward ;  the  stomach  is  dis- 
ordered, the  digestive  powers  are  lost,  the  bowels  be- 
come coated  with  canker,  the  food  is  not  digested  so  as 
to  afford  any  nourishment  or  heat  to  the  system,  and  all 
the  juices  flow  inward,  and  pass  oflT  by  the  common  pas- 
sage. The  canker  makes  the  bowels  very  sore,  and 
when  any  thing  passes  them,  it  causes  excruciating  pain. 
The  best  plan  of  treatment  is,  to  carry  the  patient  through 
a  regular  course  of  medicine,  and  repeat  it,  if  occasion 
should  require,  every  day  till  relief  is  obtained.  During 
the  operation,  give  the  chicken  broth,  and  after  the  dis- 
ease is  checked,  give  occasionally  a  little  brandy  and 
loaf  sugar  burned  together^  and  a  strong  tea  of  poplar 
bark.  Give  the  syrup,  No.  5,  t^o  or  three  times  a  day, 
until  entirely  recovered;  and  the  bitters,  No.  4,  may  be 
given  night  and  morning,  to  restore  the  digesture.  Care 
must  be  taken  to  keep  up  the  inward  heat  in  the  interim, 
by  giving  occasionally,  No.  2.  in  a  tea  of  No.  3,  sweet-  • 
ened.  Steaming  is  very  important  in  this  complaint,  and 
injections  must  often  be  administered. 


or  loss  of 
in  conse- 
e  stomach 
.  2,  which 
^o.  1,  and 
ose  of  the 
o.  6,  in  it, 
y  and  pon- 
that  have 
e  powers. 


■y  common, 
las  already 


Rheumatism. 

This  complaint  is  caused,  by  cold  obstructing  the  na- 
tural circulation,  which  causes  pain  and  swelling.  It 
often  affects  the  joints,  so  that  they  grow  out  of  shape. 
A  cure  is  easily  effected,  if  timely  and  properly  attended 
to,  which  must  be  done  by  such  medicine  as  will  cause 
perspiration  and  remove  obstructions.  In  common  cases, 
by  taking  the  rheumatic  drops,  and  bathing  the  part  af^ 
fected,  with  the  same,  will  remove  the  complaint.  When 
the  case  is  bad,  carry  them  throughaconrse  of  the  med- 
icine, and  bathe  with  the  drops,  repeating  it  as  occasion 
may  require,  till  cured.  At  the  same  time,  give  a  tea  of 
poplar  bark  or  hemlock  boughs;  and  many  other  articles 
which  have  been  described  as  good  for  this  complaint, 
may  also  be  made  use  of  to  advantage. 
11* 


126 


yieto  Guide  to  Health; 


The  gout  is  from  the  same  cause,  and  the  stomach 
being  gi'ea%'  disordered,  and  very  sour,  which  produces 
a  burning  MPsation.  I  have  cured  several  cases  by  the 
common  course  of  medicine,  and  giving  the  bitters  to 
restore  the  digestive  powers. 

Sore.  Lips. 

They  are  common  in  very  hot  or  cpld  weather,  when  • 
there  is  nearly  a  balance  of  the  power  of  outward  and  in- 
ward heat,  or  outward  and  inward  cold,  which  produces 
canker.  To  cure  it,  take  a  strong  dose  of  a  tea  of  No. 
3,  with  a  tea-spoonful  of  No.  2.  in  it,  when  going  to  bed, 
and  wash  them  with  the  same,  then  wipe  them  dry  to  take 
off  the  matter  collected;  then  wet  them  again  with  the 
tea,  Ad  put  on  as  much  ginger  as  will  stick,  repeat  the 
same  again  for  two  or  three  times,  till  the  coat  is  suffi- 
cient to  keep  out  the  air;  when  this  comes  off,  repeat 
the  same  process  again,  until  the  soreness  is  gone,  then 
wash  again  with  the  tea,  and  wipe  them  dry,  and  apply 
warm  tallow  till  a  cure  is  completed. 


Sore  Eyes. 

This  is  generally  caused  by  being  exposed  to  sudden 
changes  of  heat  and  cold,  which  produces  canker;  and 
where  this  is,  there  will  be  inflammation.  There  are 
many  things  good  for  this  complaint;  but  the  best  that  I 
have  found,  is  white  pond  lily  root,  marshrosemary,  witcH 
hazle,  and  red  raspberry  leaves;  make  a  strong  tea  with 
all  or  either,  and  add  one  third  as  much  of  No.  6,  with  a 
little  of  No.  2;  bathe  the  eyes  several  times  in  a  day; 
every  morning  put  your  face  in  cold  water,  open  and  shut 
the  eyes  till  well  washed ;  repeat  this  till  a  cure  is  effect- 
ed. At  the  same  time,  take  the  tea  to  clear  the  system 
of  canker. 

Headache. 

This  pain  proceeds  from  a  foul  stomach,  the  bile  loses 
its  powers,  the  food  clogs,  by  not  being  digested,  and  the 
effect  is  felt  in  the  head,  which  is  the  fountain  of  sense. 


strip 
and  h 
in  ral 
rounc 
not 
have 


ThI 
mon 
morel 
than 
and 
parts! 


or,  Bolanic  Famihj  Physician. 


127 


[nach 
luces 
•y  the 
jrs  to 


when- 
jtnd  in- 
oduces 
of  No. 
to  bed, 
to take 
rith  the 
)eat  the 
is  suffi- 

rcpeat 
^e,  then 
id  apply 


Sometimes  there  is  stekneas  at  the  stomach;  when  tliis 
happens,  it  is  Cjalled  sick  headache,  and  when  they  vomit, 
the  head  is  relieved.  This  proves  that  the  cause  is  in 
the  stomach.  It  must  be  cured  by  cleansing  the  stomach 
and  restoring  the  digestive  powers.  A  dose  of  composi-' 
tion  powders,  sitting  by  the  fire  wrapped  in  a  blanket, 
will  generally  give  relief;  but  if  it  should  not,  take  a 
dose  of  No.  1 ,  in  a  tea  of  No.  3,  and  take  the  bitters  to 
correct  the  bile;  No.  3  should  also  be  taken,  to  warm  the 
stomach,  and  if  it  is  sour,  take  the  pearlash  water.  It  is 
very  fashionable  with  the  doctors,  to  tell  about  dropsy  in 
the  head,  but  in  this  I  have  no  belief;  for  there  is  no 
disease  in  the  head  but  what  proceeds  from  the  stomach, 
except  from  external  injury.  If  they  understood  the  real 
cause,  and  would  give  the  proper  medicine  to  remove  it, 
there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  the  head ;  but  when  a 
child  is  sick,  they  give  calomel  and  other  poisons,  which 
increases  the  disease ;  and  if  they  die,  it  is  laid  to  the 
dropsy  in  the  head,  and  this  is  satisfactory,  because  the 
doctor  says  so. 


0  sudden 
ker;  and 
here  are 
est  that  I 
iry,witcH 
r  tea  with 
6,  with  a 

a  day; 

1  and  shut 
.  is  eflect- 
he  system 


5  bile  loses 
ed,  and  the 
Q  of  sense. 


Corns. 

These  come  on  the  joints  of  the  toes,  and  arc  very 
troublesome.  They  may  be  cured  by  soaking  the  foot 
in  warm  water  till  the  corn  is  soft;  shave  it  thin;  take  a 
strip  of  bladder  or  skin  of  suet,  eight  or  ten  inches  long, 
and  half  an  inch  wide,  rub  it  till  soft;  then  supple  it  well 
in  rattle-snake's  oil,  or  the  nerve  ointment;  wrap  it 
round  the  toe,  and  keep  it  on  till  worn  out;  if  this  does 
not  cure,  repeat  the  same  till  the  corn  is  removed.  I 
have  seldom  known  this  to  fail  of  a  cure.  ># 


Venereal.  ^ 

This  disease,  that  is  called  by  this  name,  is  more  com- 
mon in  seaports  than  in  the  country,  because  there  is  a 
more  promiscuous  and  illicit  intercourse  of  the  sexes, 
than  in  other  places.  It  is  a  very  high  state  of  canker 
and  putrefaction,  which  takes  hold  of  the  glands  of  those 
parts  that  are  first  affected  with  it ;  and  if  not  checked, 


'*^" 


ui^- 


128 


JVew  Guide  to  Health; 


# 


the  whole  system  will.hecome  diseased  by  the  venereal 
taint.  It  is  more  common  among  sea-farine  men,  be- 
cause of  their  being  long  absent  at  sea,  and  on  coming 
on  shore,  they  give  free  scope  to  their  passions,  without 
being  very  scrupulous  ab  jut  the  manner  of  their  indul- 
gence. It  originates,  probably,  with  those  common 
women,  who  have  connection  with  many  different  men, 
and  going  beyond  the  impulse  of  nature;  this  impure 
connection  causes  uncleanness,  which  produces  the  dis- 
ease, and  when  seated,  is  contagious. 

The  reason  why  this  disease  causes  so  m^ich  fright 
and  alarm,  is  owing  to  two  causes;  the  first  i.^  the  dis- 
grace that  is  attached  to  the  dishonesty  in  gettirig  it ;  and 
the  other  is  the  manner  in  which  it  has  generally  been 
treated,  in  giving  mercury  to  cure  it;  the  remedy  be- 
comes worse  than  the  disease.  That  this  disorder  can- 
not be  cured  by  any  other  means,  is  altogether  an  error; 
for  I  have  cured  a  number  of  cases  by  very  simple  means. 
The  first  symptoms  felt,  is  a  scaling  sensation  and  pain 
when  voiding  the  urine;  and  w.tiiin  twenty-four  hours 
after  this  is  experienced,  it  may  be  cured  in  that  time,  by 
applying  cold  water,  and  making  use  of  the  rheumatic 
drops;  if  there  is  much  soreness,  make  use  of  the  tea  of 
No.  3,  with  the  drops  in  it;  which  must  be  taken,  as  well 
as  applied  to  the  parts.  If  the  disease  has  been  of  long 
standing,  and  the  whole  system  has  become  affected, 
they  must  be  carried  through  a  course  of  the  medicine. 
Where  there  has  been  mercury  made  use  of,  and  there 
is  all  the  attendant  consequences  of  such  treatment,  it  is 
much  mo|e  difficult  to  effect  a  cure ;  and  is  only  done  by 
a  full  course  of  the  medicine,  and  repeating  it  for  a  num- 
ber of  times;  raising  the  heat  by  steam,  each  time  as 
high  as  they  can  bear,  to  throw  out  the  mercury  and  re- 
move the  canker,  at  the  same  time  applying  the  poultice; 
then  give  the  bitters  to  correct  the  bile.  • 

I  had  a  case  of  a  woman,  who  was  brought  to  me  on 
a  bed,  fifteen  miles.  She  was  in  a  very  putrid  state,  and 
as  bad  as  she  could  well  be,  with  all  the  consequences 
that  are  caused  by  being-  filled  with  mercury.  Different 
doctors  had  attended  her  for  eleven  months,  and  she  had 
constantly  been  growing  worse.  She  had  been  kept 
ignorant  of  hier  disease,  till  a  few  days  before  brought  to 


me, 
five  ( 
poult 
No.  i 
givin, 
ture, 
after 
streni 
woma 
this  w 
attend 
health 
she  hi 
health 
This 
what  h 
breath 
who  ar 
be  corn 
in  man_ 
sympto" 
Childr< 
taint,  \ 
similar 
may  be 
the  col< 
who,  bi 
ing  ex| 
back  ar 
inffamr 
nereal. 
and  the 
I  was  cl 
things 
loins  ani 
short  tir 
in  the  vl 
buboes.  [ 
for  I  nel 
mercury 
it  dries , 
dischar; 


or,  Botanic  Family  Phy»ician. 


139 


me  on 
ite,  and 

[ifferent 
she  had 
;n  kept 
Lugbt  to 


me,  on  account  of  her  husband.  •  I  carried  her  through 
five  courses  of  the  medicino  in  two  weokA,  and  applied  a 

Soultico  of  white  bread  and  ffingor,  made  with  a  tea  of 
To.  3.  This  comoletoly  broke  up  the  disorder,  and  by 
giving  medicine  to  correct  the  bile  and  restore  the  diges- 
ture,  she  was  cured,  and  returned  home  in  three  weeks 
after  coming  to  me.  By  taking  things  to  restore  her 
strength,  has  enjoyed  good  health  over  since.  Another 
woman  was  cured  in  the  sumo  manner,  who  had  been  in 
this  way  for  s'ijl  years,  and  una))lo  to  do  any  business.  I 
attended  her  three  weeks,  when  she  was  restored  to 
health,  and  returned  home,  In  less  than  a  year  ader, 
she  had  two  children  at  a  birth,  and  hui  enjoyed  good 
health  to  this  day— [in  1823.] 

This  disease  may  be  produced  by  other  means  than 
what  have  been  described,     It  may  be  taken  in  with  the 
breath  by  being  much  exposed  in  attending  on  those 
who  are  m  a  very  putrid  stage  of  the  cntnplamt;  or  may 
be  communicated  to  parts  where  the  skin  is  broken,  and 
in  many  other  ways;  when  they  will  have  many  of  the 
symptoms,  the  same  as  when  taken  in  the  common  way. 
Children  will  sometimes  be  afleoted  with  the  venereal 
taint,  whoso  parents  have  had  the  disease.    A  disease 
similar  in  appearance,  with  much  the  same  symptoms, 
may  be  brought  on  by  overdoing  and  being  exposed  lo 
the  cold.     I  once  had  the  ca»e  of  a  young  nmrried  man, 
who,  by  straining  himself  from  loading  mill  logs  and  be- 
ing exposed  to  wet  and  cold,  caurtod  n  weakness  in  the 
back  and  loins,  and  he  had  what  h  ealled  n  gleet,  and  an 
inflammation,  with  all  the  symptoms  common  th  the  ve- 
nereal.    His  wife  became  aObctod  in  the  same  manner, 
and  they  continued  in  this  situation  three  months,  when 
I  was  called  to  attend  them;  and  by  making  usg  of  such 
things  as  I  then  had  a  knowledge  of,  to  strengthen  the 
loins  and  remove  the  canker,  was  able  to  cure  both  in  a 
short  time.    The  mun  had  all  the  lymptotri^  that  appear 
in  the  venereal  except  hard  bunches  in  the  groins,  called 
buboes.     These  I  am  satisfied  are  caused  by  mercury, 
for  I  never  knew  any  to  have  them  f  .\cept  they  had  taken 
mercury.    By  syringing  with  mercury  and  sugar  of  lend, 
it  dries  the  glands  and  contracts  the  passage,  and  stops  the 
discharge,  when  the  putrid  matter  instead  of  going  ofT, 


'Wtr 


130 


J, 

AVw  Guide  to  Health; 


T'w,  [.mji^'^-tK,"-  •  --^T- 


collects  in  the  groin  iind  forms  hard  tumors,  which  re- 
main a  long  time  and  have  to  be  brought  to  a  head  to  let 
off  the  putrid  matter.  Bunches  of  a  similar  kind  oAen 
come  on  different  parts  of  the  body  caused  by  mercury. 
Much  more  might  be  written  on  this  subject,  but  it  is 
difficult  to  find  proper  terms  to  convey  all  the  directions 
that  may  be  necessary  in  all  cases.  Enough  has  been 
said  to  give  to  those  who  are  so  unfortunate  as  to  have 
the  disease,  a  general  knowledge  of  the  nature  of  the 
complaint,  and  the  best  manner  of  effecting  a  cure;  and 
to  those  who  are  fortunate  enough  to  escape  it,  any  thing 
further  will  be  unnecessary.  If  the  disease  be  of  recent 
standing,  let  it  be  considered  merely  a  case  of  local  can- 
ker, and  treated  as  such;  but  if  the  whole  system  has  be- 
come tainted,  and  especially  if  mercury  has  been  given, 
the  disease  is  more  difficult  to  remove,  and  must  be  treat- 
ed accordingly. 

-■r 

JtllDlWIFERT.  ^ 

This  is  a  very  difficult  subject  to  write  upon,  as  I 
know  of  no  words,  that  would  be  proper  to  make  use  of, 
to  convey  the  necessary  information  to  enable  a  person 
to  attempt  the  practice  with  safety.  The  great  impor- 
tance of  the  subject,  however,  induces  me  not  to  be  si- 
lent; and  I  shall  endeavor  to  make  known  to  the  public 
such  thoughts  and  conclusions  as  long  experience  and 
much  solicitude  has  enabled  me  to  form,,  concerning  those 
who  are  Iftjffering  and  are  constantly  liable  to  suffer  from 
the  erroneous  arid  most  unnatural  practice  of  the  present 
day.  The  practice  of  midwifery  at  this  time,  appears  to 
be  altogether  a  matter  of  speculation  with  the  medical 
faculty,  by  their  exorbitant  price  for  attendance.  The 
tax  on  the  poor  classes  is  very  heavy ;  and  this  is  not  the 
greatest  grievance  that  they  have  to  hear,  for  they  are 
often  deprived  of  their  wives  and  children,  by  such  ig- 
norant and  unnatural  practice  as  is  very  common  in  all 
parts  of  the  country. 

^^  *  Forty  years  ago,  the  practice  of  midwifery  was  prin- 
cipally in  the  hands  of  experienced  women,  who  had  no 

'    difficulty;  and  there  was  scarce  an  instance  known  in 


or,  Botame  FamUy  Phy$ieUtn. 


181 


those  days  of  a  woman  dyina  in  chUd>becl,  and  it  was 
very  uncommon  for  them  to  lose  the  child ;  but  at  the 
present  time  these  things  are  so  common  that  it  is  hardly 
talked  about.  There  must  be  some  cause  for  this  differ- 
ence, and  I  can  account  for  it  in  no  other  way  than  the 
unskilful  treatment  they  experience  from  the  doctors, 
who  have  now  got  most  of  the  practice  into  their  own 
hands.  In  the  country  where  I  was  born,  and  where  I 
brought  up  a  family  of  children,  there  was  no  such  thins 
thought  of  as  callmg  the  assistance  of  a  doctor;  a  mi(f 
wife  was  all  that  was  thought  necessary,  and  the  instances 
were  very  rare  that  they  were  not  successful,  for  they 
used  no  art,  but  afforded  such  assistance  as  nature  re- 
quired; gave  herb  tea  to  keep  them  in  a  perspiration, 
and  to  quiet  the  nerves.  Their  price  was  one  dollar; 
when  the  doctors  began  to  practise  midwifery  in  the 
country,  their  price  was  three  dollars,  but  they  soon  after 
raised  it  to  five ;  and  now  they  charge  from  twelve  to 
twenty  dollars.  If  they  go  on  in  this  ratio,  it  will  soon 
take  all  the  people  can  earn,  to  pay  for  their  children. 

All  the  valuable  instruction  I  ever  received,  was  from 
a  woman,  in  the  town  where  I  lived,  who  had  practised 
as  a  midwife,  for  twenty  years;  in  an  interview  of  about 
twenty  minutes,  she  cave  me  more  useful  instruction, 
than  all  I  ever  gained  from  any  other  source.  I  have 
practised  considerably  in  this  line,  and  have  always  had 
very  good  success.  It  is  very  important  to  keep  up  the 
strength  of  women  in  a  state  of  pregnancy,  so  that  at 
the  time  of  delivery,  they  may  be  in  possession  of  all  their 
natural  powers;  they  should  be  carried  through  a  course 
of  the  medicine  several  times,  particularly  a  little  before 
delivery,  and  keep  them  in  a  perspiration  during  and 
afler  delivery,  which  will  prevent  after  pains,  and  other 
complaints  common  in  such  cases.  Beware  of  bleeding, 
opium,  and  cold  baths;  invigorate  all  the  faculties  of 
the  body  and  mind,  to  e^ert  the  most  laborious  efforts 
that  nature  is  called  upon  to  perform,  instead  of  stupify- 
ing,  and  substituting  art  for  nature.  I  will  relate  a  case 
that  I  was  knowing  to,  which  will  give  a  pretty  fair  view 
of  the  practice  of  the  doctors.  A  woman  was  taken  in 
travail,  and  the  midwife  could  not  come;  a  doctor  was 
sent  for;   when  he  came,  the  prospect  was,   that  she 


* 


132 


JWu  Guide  U>  Healthy 


,♦ 


would  not  be  delivered  in  two  hours;  he  gave  her  some 
medicine,  which  caused  vomiting,  and  turned  the  pdins 
to  the  stomach ;  she  continued  in  this  situation  for  twelve 
hours,  when  her  strength  was  nearly  gone ;  he  then  bled 
her,  and  to  stop  the  puking,  gave  her  so  much  opium,  aa 
to  cause  such  a  stupor,  that  it  required  all  the  exertions 
of  the  women  to  keep  the  breath  of  life  in  her,  through 
the  night;  in  the  morning,  she  remained  very  weak,  and 
continued  so  till  afternoon,  when  she  was  delivered  with 
instruments.  The  child  was  dead,  and  the  woman  came 
very  near  dying,  dnd  it  was  six  months  before  she  got 
her  strength  again.  Many  more  cases  might  be  given  of 
the  bad  success  of'bleeding,  and  giving  opium  to  stupi- 
fy,  and  making  use  of  art,  instead  of  assisting  nature  to 
do  her  own  work. 

I  have  given  instruction  to  several  who  have  bought 
the  right,  and  their  practice  has  been  attended  with  com- 
plete success.  Many  men  that  I  have  given  the  infor- 
mation to,  have  since  attended  their  own  wives,  and  I 
have  never  known  an  instance  of  any  bad  consequences; 
and  if  young  married  men  would  adopt  the  same  course, 
it  would  b^  much  more  proper  and  safe,  than  to  trust 
their  wives  in  the  hands  of  young  inexperienced  doctors, 
who  have  little  knowledge,  except  what  they  get  from 
books,  and  their  practice  is  to  try  experiments;  their 
cruel  and  harsh  treatment,  in  many  instances,  would  in- 
duce the  husband  to  throw  them  out  at  the  window,  if 
permitted  to  be  present;  but  this  is  not  allowed,  for  the 
very -same  reason. 

The  following  cases,  and  the  mode  of  treatment,  each 
of  which  presents  something  new  and  difficult,  will  pre- 
sent to  view  all  that  will  be  further  necessary  on  this  sub- 
ject.   These  will  be  added  by  way  of  supplement. 


'^1 


ST*»*     ki 


'H' 


\K 


r'n=r. 


T  i^rm   -trt  "'^'^  '.'ir^ii  i;r<~'  ,s.'ij'nn  ;!:I 


.?;\l:\ 


TO  THG  THIRD  EDITIOJV. 


each 
111  pre- 
lls  sub- 


urraoDVOTZOxr. 

^'Th«  Hebrew  women  are  lively,  and  are  delivered,  ere  )he 
mldwlve*  ootne  in  un(o  them."    Exodus  i,  19. 

Ai  ill  introduction  to  what  I  have  further  to  say  on 
the  iubject  of  midwifery,  the  above  may  answer  as  a 
text;  from  which,  I  Jiave  only  to  observe,  that,  had  this 
Importuit  branch  been  preserved  in  its  simplicity,  at- 
tended only  by  women,  as  it  seems  to  have  been  in  the 
days  of  the  ancient  Egyptians,  when  the  Hebrews  were 
elavei  under  Pharaoh,  who  ordered  the  midwives  to  kill 
all  the  Hebrew  male  children  at  their' birth,  women 
might  still  have  been  delivered  with  as  little  trouble  to 
the  midwives,  and  as  little  pain  to  themselves,  as  fr<Mn 
the  aeoount,  it  appears  that  they  were  then.  For,  as  a 
oover  to  their  humanity,  and  to  escape  punishment  from 
the  lydng,  the  midwives  excused  themselves  for  not  kill- 
ing the  male  children  on  account  of  the  liveliness  of  the 
Hebrew  women.  If  those  women  had  had  the  doctors 
of  the  present  day,  with  their  pincers,  Pharaoh  would 
have  had  less  cause  to  have  issued  his  decree  to  kill  the 
male  children,  as  mstny  might  have  been  killed  with  un- 

{mnitv,  before  it  was  known  whether  they  were  mai^iSr 
bmafe.  Has  the  nature  of  won?n  altered^  which  makes 
the  mode  of  having  children  so  much  more  difficult  and 
inviterious  novir  than  it  was  then?  or  is  it  the  speculation 
01  the  doctors,  for  the  sake  of  robbing  the  people  of 
liNiUy  ioUarif  the  regular  tribute  here,  for  each  child 
bornr  And  should  the  child  be  born,  fortunately  for  the 
mother  and  child  both,  before  the  arrival  of  tfaiM^tor, 
he  even  then,  instead  of  the  price  of  a  c««(igrar  visit, 
considers  himself  entitled  to  a  half  fee;  that  is,  ten  dol- 

12 
•  •  >. 


134 


Mw  Quide  io  HeaUk; 


lars.  In  all  this,  you  may  nee  the  mystery  of  iniquity. 
Then  digroiM  the  doctor;  regtore  the  business  into  the 
hands  of  women,  where  it  belongs;  and  save  your  wife 
from  muoh  unneceigary  paiAi  your  children,  perhaps, 
from  death,  and  at  all  eveutg,  your  money,  for  better  pur- 
poses. Then  will  your  children  ^^be  born  naturally,  as 
fruit  falls  from  the  tree,  when  ripe,  of  itself. 

From  this  eource,  the  doctors  and  their  pincers,  may 
be  traced  the  miierable  health  of  women,  unable  to  stand 
on  their  feet  for  weeks  and  months,  and  never  finally 
recover;  all  cauied  by  thoie  horrid  instruments  of  steel, 
to  extend  the  paiiage  not  only  for  the  child,  but  for  the 
instruments  also.  In  this  harsh  and  unnatural  operation, 
they  often  not  only  crush  the  head  of  the  child,  but  also 
the  neck  of  the  bladder.  After  this,  there  is  an  invol- 
untary discharge  of  the  urine,  bearing-down  pains,  &c. 
insomuch  that  life  becomes  an  intolerable  burden  without 
remedy.  Can  any  one  believe  there  was  eve  r  an  instance 
of  this  kind  among  the  Hebrew  women,  where  mid  wives 
only  were  known,  or  where  nature  only  was  the  midwife? 
I  think  not.  Is  there  any  such  thing  known  among  the 
natives  of  this  country,  where  nature  is  their  only  de- 
pendence }  History  gives  us  an  account  of  their  squaws' 
having  a  papoose  at  night,  and  wade  several  rivers  the 
next  day,  when  driven  ny  Chnstiam  in  warfare;  and  by 
the  simple  use  of  4aking  the  unicorn  root,  they  would 
prevent  themselves  from  taking  cold.  If  all  these  views 
of  the  subject— what  has  been  stated  in  the  body  of  this 
w^rk'H'aad  what  is  here  to  follow,  be  not  satisfactory, 
neither  would  neople  be  persuaded  though  one  should 
arise  from  the  aeaa.  d 


,  J,!  jii,.„      Fwifur  JBinfewAf*  on  Mtdteiferv.  ',. 

As  I  am  often  called  upon  for  verbal  information  on 
this  important  subject,  I  shall  endeavor  in  this  supple- 
ment to  give  some  fUrther  instructions,  by  relating  sev- 
eralimportut  cases,  and  their  mode  of  treatment,  which 
have«|ttrred  since  my  last  edition  was  published. 

In  nraition  to  the  bod  practice  of  the  doctors,  as  be- 
&re  related,  I  will  state  another  case  of  which  I  was  an 


or,  ^danic  Family  Physician. 


135 


eye-witness.  My  brother's  wife,  about  thirty  years  old, 
'was  in  travail  with  her  first  child.  The  midwife  called 
on  me  for  advice,  on  account  of  a  violent  flooding,  which 
I  immediately  relieved  by  the  hot  medicine ;  at  the  same 
time,  some  people  present,  privately  sent  for  a  doctor. 
When  he  came,  I  told  him  there  was  no  difficulty,  and 
all  that  was  wanting  was  time.  After  examination,  he 
said  the  woman  had  been  well  treated.  He  then  took 
the  command,  and  very  soon  began  to  use  too  much  ex- 
ertion. He  was  cautioned  by  the  midwife;  but  he  show- 
ed temper,  and  said,  **  Why  did  you  send  for  me,  if  you 
know  best."  I  told  him  he  was  not  sent  for  by  our  re- 
quest; we  found  no  need  of  any  other  help.  The  doc- 
tor persisted  in  this  harsh  treatment  for  about  seven  hours, 
occasionally  trying  to  put  on  his  instruments  of  torture. 
This  painful  attempt  caused  the  woman  to  shrink  from 
her  pains,  and  the  child  drew  back.  After  making  sev- 
eral unsuccessful  attempts,  got  himself  tired  out;  he  ask- 
ed me  to  examine  her  situation.  I  did  so,  and  told  him 
that  the  child  was  not  so  far  advanced  as  when  he  came. 
He  asked  me  to  attend  her.  I  refused  the  offer;  and 
told  him  that  he  pronounced  the  woman  well  treated  when 
he  came;  but  she  had  not  been  so  treated  since,  and  I 
was  not  liable  to  bear  the  blame.  He  then  sent  for  an- 
other doctor,  and  let  her  alone  till  the  other  doctor  came, 
in  which  time  nature  had  done  much  in  advancing  her 
labor.  The  doctors  were  astonished  at  her  strength,  in 
thus  holding  out;  and  I  now  firmly  believe  that  with  the 
use  of  the  medicine  which  had  been  given  her,  and 
which  ought  to  have  been  continued,  nature  would  have 
completed  her  delivery.  The  second  doctor  did  but  lit- 
tle more  than  to  jay ,  the'  instruments'could  now  be  put  on; 
which  shows  how  far  nature  had  completed  her  i^<iirk. 
The  first  doctor  put  on  the  instruments  of  death,  adi  de- 
livered her  by  force;  using  strength' enough  to  have 
drawn  an  hundred  weight!  Thus  the  child  was,  as  I 
should  call  it,  murdered;  the  head  crushed,  and  the  doc- 
tor put  it  in  a  tub  of  cold  water  twice;  an  application, 
one  would  have  supposed,  sufficient  to  kill  it,  had  it  been 
well!! 

The  woman  flooded,  like  the  running  of  water,  so  as 
to  be  heard  by  all  in  the  room.    The  doctor  called  for 


136 


JVeto  Guide  to  Heald; 


cold  water  to  put  on  aa  soon  as  possible.  I  told  the  doc 
tor  that  he  need  not  trouble  himself  any  further  about 
the  woman,  I  would  take  care  of  her.  I  gave  her  a 
spoonful  of  fine  bayberry ,  cayenne  and  drops ;  got  her 
into  bed  as  soon  as  possible;  the  alarming  situation  soon 
abated;  but  her  senses  were  gone,  and  her  nerves  all  in 
a  state  of  c6nfusion.  I  repeated  the  dose  with  the  ad- 
dition of  nerve  powder.  I  put  a  hot  stone,  wrapped  in 
cloths  wet  with  vinegar,  at  her  feet,  and  also  at  her  back 
and  bowels,  until  she  got  v/arm.  Then  her  nerves  be- 
came more  composed.  When  the  doctor  left  her,  he 
said  there  was  a  doubt  whether  she  lived  over  twelve 
hours.  At  that  time  she  was  so  swollen  as  to  stop  all 
evacuations,  besides  other  injuries  she  had  received  by 
the  use  offeree  instead  of  aid.  The  midwife  used  her 
best  endeavors  to  promote  a  natural  discharge,  but  in 
vain.  But,  when  all  other  sources  fail,  then  comes  my 
turn.  I  succeeded,  and  saved  her  from  mortification. 
The  second  day,  I  carried  her  through  a  course  of  medi- 
cine; steaming  her  in  bed;  for  she  was  as  helpless  as 
though  all  her  bones  had  been  broken.  All  the  way  she 
could  be  turned  was  to  draw  her  on  the  under  sheet,  and 
so  turn  her  that  way.  After  the  second  course,  she  be- 
gan to  help  herself  a  little.  I  was  with  her  most  of  the 
time  for  five  days  and  nights.  I  then  left  her,  with  medi- 
cines and  directions,  and  she  gained  her  health  in  about 
two  months.  I  gave  them  directions  how  to  proceed  in 
case  she  should  ever  be  in  the  like  situation  again.  She 
had  another  child  in  about  two  years;  the  child  lived, 
and  both  did  well,  by  keeping  away  the  doctor,  as  I  am 
satisfied  would  have  been  the  case  the  first  time,  had 
this  scourge  of  humanity  been  kept  away. 

f  have  been  more  particular  in  relating  this  case,  than 
I  otherwise  should  have  been,  had  I  not  been  an  eye- 
witness to  all  the' proceedings,  and  of  course  to  all  the 
facts  which  I  have  stated,  which  I  could  not  have  be- 
lieved had  I  not  seen  them;  and  had  it  been  at  my  own 
house,  I  think  I  should  not  have  waited  for  a  door,  but 
have  pitched  the  monster  out  at  the  window.  Yet  I 
have  reason  to  believe  that  this  is  only  a  sample  of  the 
genera)  practice  where  nature  moves  slowly.  The  argot 
or  rye  spur,  which  is  a  very  improper  medicine,  was 


cayenr 
her  fee 
pains 
symptc 
day  sh4 
en  hre 
medicii 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


137 


also  frequently  given  in  this  case ;    but  it  ought  to  be 
particularly  guarded  against,  in  all  cases. 


Another  instance  happened  in  the  country,  where  the 
doctor  was  with  a  youi^g  woman  in  travail,  who  had  fits. 
The  doctor  bled  her,  and  took  away  her  child  dead  by 
force.  The  woman  is  yet  in  a  poor  state  of  health. 
What  could  we  expect  otherwise,  where  learned  men 
forbid  the  laws  of  nature  to  take  their  course,  take  the 
blood,  ''which  is  the  lif'S,"  to  enable  women  to  go  through 
with  the  most  laborious  task  which  nature  is  called  on  to 
perform  ?  Consider  of  these  things,  my  friends,  and  gov- 
ern yourselves  accordingly.' 


mi 


had 


Now  let  me  exhibit  the  other  side  of  the  picture.  I 
was  called  upon  to  attend  a  young  woman  in  child-bed, 
eighty  miles  in  the  country.  I  attended.  She  had  been 
sick,  and  sent  for  help,  before  I  arrived,  and  had  got 
about  again.  About  one  week  after,  she  was  taken 
again,  with  every  appearance  that  she  would  be  deliver- 
ed soon.  In  about  six  hours,  the  pains  all  flatted  away; 
she  grew  pale  and  dull  in  spirits,  and  the  motion  of  the 
child  had  nearly  ceased.  She  bad  labored  hard,  and 
got  cold,  and  had  a  bad  cough;  and  the  moisture  of  the 
glands  was.  so  thickened,  that  she  could  not  spit  clear  of 
her  mouth.  I  saw  that  there  was  no  use  in  any  further 
delay.  On  Thursday,  I  carried  her  through  a  thorough 
course  of  medicine,  and  steamed  her  twice  in  the  course 
of  the  day^  and  then  let  her  rest.  About  the  same  time 
she  was  taken  the  night  before,  to  wit,  about  eleven  o'- 
clock, her  pains  were  regular,  her  animaticm  and  -yBJlkft 
returned,  a  fine  son  was  born  about  thr«e  o'clock,  rae 
walked  from  the  fire  to  the  bed,  a  portion  of  coffee  and 
cayenne  was  administered,  and  a  steaming  stone  put  to 
her  feet.  As  soon  as  her  perspiration  was  free,  all  after- 
paioB  ceased,  and  there  were  none  of  those  -  alarming 
symptoms,  common  to  learned  ignorance.  The  second 
day  she  showed  symfrtoms  of  a  child-bed  feyer  and  brok- 
en breasts.  I  carried  her  through  another  course  of 
medicine  and  steam.  The  fifth  day  she  took  breakfast 
12* 


138 


JV*ei0  (ruide  to  Health; 


atid  dinner  below  with  the  family,  and  carried  her  child 
up  stairs.  The  eighth  day  she  rode  out  two  miles,  paid 
a  visit  and  come  back.  On  the  ninth  day,  I  carried  her 
.through  another  course  of  medicine,  and  got  her  so  far 
cleared,  that  she  could  spit  clear  of  her  mouth  for  the 
first  time  after  I  saw  her.  On  the  tenth  day,  she  rode 
the  same  distance ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that,  had  she 
been  attended  in  the  common  way,  she  would  have  had 
the  child-bed  fever;  broken  breasts,  and  a  poor  health 
afterwards. 

This  case  caused  much  conversation.  Why  so  i  It 
was  the  different  mode  of  treatment,  reversing  every 
mode  commonly  attended  to.  What  shall  we  do?  say 
the  people,  we  shall  never  dare  to  employ  a  doctor  again. 
I  answer.  Call  the  doct  . ,  and  obtain  his  advice ;  and 
then  reverse  every  prescription  given  by  him  in  a  case  of 
child-bed.  If  he  tells  you  to  have  a  doctor,  have  a  mid- 
wife. If  he  says,  "  be  bled,"  keep  your  blood  for  other 
uses.  If  he  says,  "keep  yourself  cold,"  sweat  your- 
self If  he  says,  "put  cold  water  on  your  bowels," 
take  hot  medicine  inside,  and  a  steaming  stone  at  your 
feet.  If  he  says,  "take  physic,"  use  warm  injections. 
If  he  says,  "starve  yourself,"  eat  what  your  appetite 
craves.  By  strict  observance  of  the  foregoing  anti-di- 
rections, you  may  enjoy  your  health,  and  save  the  heavy 
bill  for  the  many  visits  of  the  doctor,  besides  saving  him 
from  the  trouble  of  keeping  you  sick.  This  is  the  mode 
of  having  patent  babies,  so  highly  recommended  by  Dr. 
Robinson,  in  his  13th  lecture,  who  says,  "  Even  in  child- 
bed delivery,  a  matter  never  to  be  forgotten,  this  prac- 
tice has  very  nearly  removed  the  pain  and  punishment 
the  daughters  of  Eve,  threatened  to  our  progenitor 
entailed  upon  her  ofispring.  A  lady  of  good  sense, 
attdVithout  the  least  coloring  of  imagination,  said  k  was 
easier  to  hav«  five  children  under  the  operation  and  in- 
fluence of  this  new  practice,  than  one  by  the  other  man- 
agement and  medicine.  And  she  had  had  experience  in 
both  cases,  and  has  been  supported  in  the  evidence  by 
every  on^  who  has  followed  her  example." 

This  extract  Speaks  rolumes  in  iiiTor  of  the  treaUneal 
m  the  last  naoMd  c«8e« 


imnmf.rKi 


mi 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


139 


and 


iatmeBl 


The  following  case  of  midwifery  I  shall  mention,  with 
the  mode  of  treatment,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  instruc- 
tion to  others. 

I  was  called  to  visit  a  woman  in  Greenfield,  Saratoga 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  who  had  been  in  travail  ten  days,  and  her  life 
despaired  of.  I  think  there  was  not  less  than  ten  men 
and  women  present,  and  the  seal  of  despair  was  set  upon 
each  one's  countenance.  The  woman,  in  a  low  voice, 
said,  "  I  cannot  see  what  can  be  the  use  of  a  woman's 
undergoing  the  distress  I  have  for  ten  days,  and  die  after 
all,  as  two  sisters  of  mine  have  done  in  a  similar  case, 
but  a  short  time  ago."  I  replied,  that  pain  and  distress 
were  the  common  lot  of  all  mankind,  and  the  duty  of 
every  one  is  to  alleviate  the  miseries  of  others  as  far  as 
it  is  in  our  power.  She  asked  me  if  I  thought  I  could 
help  her.  I  assured  her  that  I  would  do  every  thing  I 
could  for  that  purpose.  There  were  several  persons 
present  who  owned  the  right.  I  took  out  my  medicine, 
and  put  in  a  tea-cup  a  large  spoonful  of  composition,  one 
tea-spoonful  of  cayenne,  one  of  nerve  powder,  and  one 
spoonful  of  sugar,  filled  the  cup  with  boiling  water,  stir- 
red them  well  together,  and  set  it  down.  While  settling, 
I  took  a  large  tea-spoonful  of  brown  emetic,  and  havkig 
poured  off  the  tea  into  another  cup,  stirred  in  the  pow- 
aer,  and  handed  it  to  the  woman,  who  swallowed  it,  ap- 
parently with  all  possible  faith  that  it  would  help  her.  I 
called  for  assistance,  to  regulate  the  bed  and  other  things, 
which  were  in  disorder  about  the  room,  as  soon  as^  possi- 
ble. Every  attention  was  paid,  the  medicine  rou^d  the 
efforts  of  nature,  so  th^t  the  woman  iHras  in  readiness  be- 
fore we  were.  This  qalled  all  to  her  assistance;  the  de- 
sired object  was  obtained  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes  al^ 
ter  taking  tfckis  friend  of  nature;  a  fine  son  was  born 
alive,  and  tWd  woman  comfortable  and  i^ble  with  itf  ady- 
ing;  to  walk  from  the  fire  to  the  bed,  to  the  great  joy  of 
all  present.  The  gloomy  veil  of  despair  was  raised  from 
the  countenance  of  all,  and  they  heartily  partook  of  the 
joy  and  thankfukiess  of  the  woman  and  family ;  insomuch 
that  some  of  the  women  presept,  declared  that  they  would 
never  have  any  other  children  but  patent  onesJieinpjifter. 


Ih^iisn 


*»*r  n  '^'^'tijtr/ 


.^- 


140 


^ew  Guide  to  Health; 


One  of  my  agents,  Joseph  Mitchell,  went  with  me ; 
and  we  returned  in  the  space  of  two  hours,  in  a  violent 
snow  storm.  He  declared  that  that  expedition  was  worth 
one  hundred  dollars  to  the  society.  The  next  day,  the 
husband  came,  and  purchased  the  right,  with  instruction 
on  the  branch  of  midwifery;  and  has  attended  his  wife 
twice  since,  with  unusual  success.  Oiie  of  my  agents 
says  he  has  frequently  heard  the  woman  relate  the  fore^ 
going  case;  but  never  without  shedding  tears. 


Case  ofMidioifery,  in  Columbus,  Ohio. 

This  woman  I  agreed  to  be  with  when  confined,  which 
was  expected  in  about  three  weeks.  I  went  to  see  my 
son,  about  130  miles.  While  there,  I  fell  and  broke  two 
of  my  ribs.  I  had  a  violent  cough,  and  almost  lost  my 
life.  I  did  not  return  short  of  about  six  weeks,  and  then 
in  a  very  poor  state  of  health.  I  arrived  at  the  house 
about  eleven  o'clock  at  night.  The  woman  was  then  in 
travail.  She  said  she  had  waited  for  me  three  weeks. 
The  midwife  said  the^  waters  had  been  discharged  three 
days,  and  the  woman  was  in  a  low  and  lingenng  state, 
often  wishing  for  me.  I  went  to  bed  that  night,  but 
did  not  sleep  much,  on  account  of  the  distress  of  the 
woman,  and  noise  of  the  moving  in  the  house.  I  was 
solicited  about  noon  the  next  day,  by  the  husband  and 
wife,  her  father  and  mother,  my  agent  and  his  wife,  with 
an  earnest  desire  to  attend  the  woman,  as  her  mind  was 
set  on  my  attention.  I  reluctantly  consented,  as  I  was 
weak  in  body  tmd  mind,  and  hardly  able  to  undergo  the 
anxiety  and  responsibility  of  so  difficult  a  case.  I  how- 
ever'^0|greed  to  do  the  best  I  could.  I  pr(|^ared  a  dose 
simill^  to  that  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  Case.  It  was 
given.  It  soon  had  the  desired  effect,  by  rousing  the 
system  to  action.  I  delivered  her  in  about  half  an  hour. 
But  the  child  was  apparently  dead.  I  took  the  placenta 
or  after-birth,  with  the  chi!<d;  the  grandmother  being 
seated  in  the  corner,  she  placed  the  after-birth  on  a  bed 
of  embers,  while  rubbing  the  child;  and  afi  soon  as  the  ' 
substance  on  the  coals  had  gained  warmth  enough  to  fill 
the  umbilical  cord  with  warmth  and  moisture,  it  was 


*■ 


Ab( 
agents 
ed,  ar 
with 
relief, 
away 


or,  Botanic  Family  PhyBician. 


141 


stripped  towards  the  body  of  the  child,  and  so  continued 
until  a  sufficient  degree  of  warmth  through  this  medium 
was  conveyed  into  the  body  of  the  child,  as  to  expand  the 
lungs,  which  was  effected  in  about  fifteen  or  twenty  min- 
utes ;  then  the  string  was  separated  in  usual  form. 

I  relate  this  case  for  the  information  pf  those  who  may 
not  have  studied  the  principle  of  heat's  giving  life,  as  is 
manifest  in  the  present  case.  There  was  no  other  possi- 
ble way  of  communicating  heat  to  the  vitals,  except 
through  that  channel  or  stem  which  had  supported  the 
growth  of  the  child  to  that  time,  the  same  as  any  vegeta- 
ble fruit  is  supported  from  the  vine  or  tree  by  the  stem. 
If  the  vine  be  cut  off,  or  pulled  up,  the  fruit  will  wither 
and  die.  Now  what  was  the  c&.use  of  the  death  of  this 
child  ?  Recollect  the  first  part  of  this  statement.  The 
water  had  been  discharged  three  days.  All  that  time 
the  child  had  been  starving,  the  same  as  the  fruit  loses 
its  support 'when  the  vine  is  cut.  But  by  raising  artifi- 
cial heat,  through  the  placenta  and  umbilical  cord,  by 
Eutting  the  former  on  the  embers,  and  conveying  the 
eat  to  the  body  of  the  child  through  the  medium  of  the 
latter,  it  gave  the  child  one  more  meal,  which  roused  it 
into  action,  and  which  was  to  last  till  the  next  means 
nature  has  provided,  can  be  obtained.  Before  the  child 
is  born,  it  is  supported  by  this  stem  from  the  mother  in- 
ternally; afterbirth,  from  the  breast  of  the  mother  ex- 
ternally. This  food  supports  the  child,  till  he  can  eat 
more  solid  food,-  and  thus  no  longer  need  the  breast. 

Now  the  attention  of  the  mother, 

Majr  be  employed  to  have  another; 

And  80  go  on  with  all  the  rest, 

Your  hoase  be  filled  with  children  bless'd. 

Case  of  a  Fahe  Conception. 

About  two  years  ago,  I  was  called  on  by  one  of  my 
agents  at  !^lastport.  Me.  who  appeared  to  be  much  alarm- 
ed, and  requested  me  to  go  with  hifti  to  visit  a  woman 
with  whom  he  had  been  all  night,  and  could  give  her  no 
relief.  She  had  flowed  so  much,  that  she  lay  fainted 
away  more  than  half  the  time,  and  then,  the  rest  part 


142 


JVew  Guide  io  Health; 


of  the  time,  she  was  puking.  I  asked  him  if  she  was 
in  a  pregnant  state.  He  thought  not.  I  answered,  I 
thought  it  must  be  the  case.  I  went  with  him ;  and,  on 
the  way,  asked  him  if  he  had  given  her  an  emetic  ?  He 
had  not.  If  he  had  used  an  mjection  ?  No,  he  did  not 
think  it  would  answer.  Not  answer!  What  is  your 
medicine  good  for,  if  it  is  not  a  friend  in  the  most  alarm- 
ing case?  When  entering  the  house,  the  man  said,  ^'My 
wife  has  been  fainted  away  more  than  half  the  time  since 
you  lefl,  and  the  rest  of  the  time  she  has  been  puking." 
I  directed  my  agent  to  go  after  his  syringe.  The  first 
thing  I  could  find  warm  was  some  wormwood  tea.  I 
took  some  in  a  cup,  and  added  some  cayenne,  nerve 
powder,  and  emetic  herb,  sweetened,  as  heretofore  di- 
rected. She  took  it.  I  then  steeped  one  pint  of  coffee, 
and  had  time  to  give  her  about  one  glz'as,  with  a  requi- 
site portion  of  the  same  articles  as  before,  when  the 
syringe  arrived.  I  then  prepared  about  a 'gill  of  this 
liquid,  and  added  the  same  proportion  of  the  articles 
taken,  and  charged  the  syringe  with  it,  and  ordered  the 
nurse  to  administer  it.  I,  with  my  agent,  left  the  room 
for  the  space  of  about  ten  minutes,  when  we  were  called 
in,  and  found  the  nurse  much  surprised  at  the  discharge. 
The  like  was  never  seen  by  any  one  present.  I'he  ap- 
pearance was  like  a  hog's  heart  secured  in  a  membrane. 
The  people  were  at  a  loss  what  to  call  it.  My  agent 
was  of  opinion  that  there  was  some  human  shape  in  it. 
I  said,  no.  To  satisfy  himself,  he  opened  it  with  his 
knife,  and  found  it  solid  flesh.  I  told  them  it  was  a 
false  conception,  and  void  of  human  shape.  I  then  re- 
peated the  dose  as  before  given,  and  repeated  the  injec- 
tion \t,  usual  form,  which  cleared  her  of  all  disorder,  and 
set  nature  at  liberty.  Ail  flowing,  pukin^^and  fainting, 
ceased  from  the  first  application  I  madeP  The  woman 
soon  got  well,  and  in  less  than  one  year,  had  a  fine  son, 
and  her  health  remains  good.  Many  thanks  were  given 
me  by  the  family,  believing,  as  they  said,  that  what  I 
administered  to  the  woman,  together  with  what  I  pre- 
scribed, had  saved  her  life. 

I  shall  close  this  subject  with  a  few  brief  remarks. 

The  foregoing  cases  I  have  described  for  the  purpose 
of  showing  tho  diflerence  between  forcing  nature,  and 


or,  BolanU  Family  Phyiician. 


143 


5> 


aiding  and  assisting  her.  They  are  two  theories,  di- 
rectly opposed  to  each  other,  and  can  never  harmonize 
together.  As  soon  as  learned  ignorance  begins  to  nse 
force  to  extend  the  passage,  the  child  ceases  from  its 
natural  progression  and  draws  back ;  as  nature  shrinks 
from  all  such  opei^ations,  and  force  must  then  do  the 
whole;  and  if  the  child  should  be  caught  by  such  force, 
as  the  dog  catches  his  game,  it  will  be  likely  to  share 
the  same  fate,  as  in  the  case  first  mentioned.  I  shall 
not  follow  up  the  simile,  by  comparing  the  doctor  to  a 
dog,  though  it  might  be  made  a  very  striking  one.  is 
not  this  the  cause  of  many  women  lingering  out  a  mis- 
erable existence  in  pain  and  torment,  and  are  often  heard 
to  say,  "  I  have  never  been  well  since  my  last  child  was 
born.  I  was  in  the  hands  of  the  doctor  three  days,  and 
at  last  was  delivered  with  instruments.  I  did  not  stand 
on  my  feet  for  six  weeks,  and  have  never  regained  my 
health."  Yet  the  doctor  is  looked  upon  as  her  benefac- 
tor, and  is  thanked  for  saving  her  lira,  (otuery.  Were 
theti:^  evil  consequences  ever  known  were  natuiP^did 
her  own  work,  and  the  child  born  before  the  doctor  could 
get  there  ?  In  all  my  practice,  I  never  knew  an  instance 
where  the  woman  -.ould  not  bear  her  weight  upon  her 
feet  the  same  day.  Nor  have  I  ever  heard  of  a  single 
instance  where  nature  had  been  assisted  according  to 
rny  practice  by  others,  where  the  patient  was  not  able  to 
bear  her  weight  on  her  feet  the  same  day  of  hor  delivery. 
As  to  the  cause  of  the  difllbrence  between  those  attend- 
ed according  to  nature,  and  those  attended  aecunduvt 
artem,  according  to  art,  I  shall  leave  the  reader  to  de- 
cide for  himself. 
Another  evil  in  this  branch,  which  I  shall  mention 

either  felt  or 

force.    The 

and  tears 

it  off,  so  as  to  be  heard  by  those  present.  Alarming,  if 
not  fat4  consequences  are  the  result.  The  question  is, 
what  omer  way  can  be  done?  Answer.  The  same  as 
in  taking  the  child.  Assist  nature,  instead  of  forcing  it. 
The  only  rule  given  by  me,  to  those  who  wish  to  attend 
their  own  wives,  or  others,  is  simply  this.  After  the 
string  is  separated  from  the  child,  be  careftil  not  to  lose 


>~ 


— ^■ 


y^     144 


A«w  Guide  to  Health; 


it,  by  letting  it  draw  back,  as  this  is  the  only  sure  guid« 
to  the  placenta.  Take  the  sti'ng  between  the  thumb 
and  finger  of  the  left  hand,  drawing  it  straight,  ^^ile 
havinff  the  same  between  the  thumb  and  finger  of  the 
right  nand,  slipping  it  forward  until  you  find  the  solid 
part  to  which  the  string  is  attached.  Take  a  steady 
pull  when  the  pain  is  on.  After  a  few  seconds,  it  will 
be^in  to  give  way,  turning  inside  out  as  turning  the 
lining  to  the  sleeve  of  a  coat.  But  if  it  stick  fast,  take 
care  not  to  break  the  string,  as  if  you  do,  you  lose  your 
guide.  .Keep  the  woman  well  fed  with  hot  medicine,  to 
prevent  flooding.  Then  carry  her  through  a  course  of 
medicine;  and  when  the  system  is  slackened,  it  will 
often  come  of  itself.  I  w<fuld  prefer  having  it  remain 
till  it  discharges  itself,  according  to  nature,  as  it  certain- 
ly will  in  time,  than  to  be  taken  away  by  force,  as  I  have 
seen  done.  The  danger  is  far  less.  But  I  never  knew 
a  case  of  the  kind  where  the  woman  had  been  sufficient- 
ly c^red  by  the  medicine  near  the  time  of  her  delivery. 
1  kflllr  one  instance,  where  the  woman  had  been  treat- 
ed by  force  in  thii^  way,  that  she  had  been  so  injured  that 
all  her  urine  run  '«way  as  fast  as  it  collected.  The  doc- 
tors had  so  injured  her,  that  they  declared  she  would 
never  live  to  have  another  child.  But  they  were  mistak- 
en. The  next  one  she  was  attended  by  mgr  direction, 
and  carried  through,  I  think,  thirteen  courses  of  medi- 
cine before  delivery.  I  attended  her.  She  was  sick  but 
about  two  hours;  was  delivered  and  cleared  without  any 
difficulty,  and  both  she  and  her  child  did  woll. 

There  are  as  great  errors  committed  in  using  force  for 
the  after-birth,  as  for  the  child.  The  inflammation  caus- 
ed by  usin^  force  in  taking  the  child,  causes  the  obstruc- 
tion in  tdung  the  after-birth.  When  le^ed  ignorant 
pretenders,  who  ktkow  nothing  about  follHnng  the  um- 
bilical cord  for  their  guide,  proceed  inward,  where  they 
have  no  business,  they  often  comimt  irreparable  injury, 
and  instead  of  taking  the  after-birth,  they  iiuure  the 
womb,  sometimes  by  turning  it  wrong  side  oil,  which 
causes  distressing  bearing-down  pains,  and  thus  the 
woman  must  linger  out  a  miserable  existence  until  death 
comes  as  a  welcome  firiend  to  relieve  her. 


or,  Botanic  Fiunihj  Physician. 


M5 


Thus,  kind  reader,  I  have  given  you  the  most  impo% 
tant  particulars  I  now  think  of,  and  as  to  any  further 
directions,  I  can  do  no  better  than  to  refer  you  to  the 
General  IHrectiona,  as  laid  down  in  this  book;  and  it 
is  my  opinion  that  you  are  better  off  with  your  own 
judgment  and  this  book,  than  with  all  the  scientific  ig- 
norance, called  knowledge,  as  taught  in  the  schools, 
without  it.  Hence  my  advice  to  you  is,  dismiss  all  doc- 
tors of  law,  physic  and  divinity.  Pray  for  your  own 
soul,  if  you  know  what  it  is,  doctor  your  own  body,  and 
make  your  own  will.  By  so  doing,  you  will  save  your 
share  of  the  greatest  tax  ever  imposed  on  mankind. 


Oullines  of  Treatment  in  the  hour  of  Travail. 

To  point  out  a  regular  rule  or  form  for  every  woman, 
would  be  out  of  my  power,  as  they  are  restless,  iiipting 
their  position  in  every  form  and  manner,  to  find  a  place 
of  rest,  which  is  as  difficult  as  that  of  Noah's  dove. 
When  they  become  so  far  advanced  that  they  cannot 
satisfy  themselves  any  longer  in  their  own  way,  then  you 
may  assist  them  in  the  best  manner  to  help  themselves, 
and  to  enable  others  to  help  them,  by  assisting  nature  to 
do  her  own  work. 

The  seat  is  prepared  in  different  ways,  according  to 
their  fancy.  Those  who  have  had  children  ought  to  be 
the  best  judge  how  to  aid  and  assist  them  in  this  partic- 
ular. I  shaU  only  give  advice  how  to  proceed  in  some 
alarming  and  difficult  cases,  to  be  handed  down  for  the 
benefit  of  generations  yet  unborn,  as  none  can  be  ob- 
tained from  thift.progress  of  the  learned,  for  four  thousand 
years.  And  in  any  beneficial  information  shall  now  be 
•btained,  it  must  be  from  the  illiterate,  who  have  studied 
nature  rather  than  books.  I  have  no  authors,  dictiona^^ 
ries  or^nncordance,  to  assist  my  feeble  efforts  in  arriv- 
igg  at  im>rrect  judgment.  Necessity  and  experience  are 
tie  only  sources  of  my  knowledge,  firom  which  I  dimw 
all  my  lessons. 

Among  the  most  desparate  eases,  is  the  flowing  of  fe- 
males; pregnant  or  not,  the  treatment  is  the  same.    If 
it  happens  before  delivery,  give  a  portion  of  composition 
13 


146 


JVeto  Guide  to  HeaUh; 


with  more  cayenne,  and  hot  water  sweetened;  or  some 
drops,  cayenne  and  snuff,  or  fine  bayberry,  as  sabttitutes* 
If  after  delivery,  the  same.  When  the  womiik  grow* 
weary  and  worn  out,  and  pains  begin  to  die  away,  give 
a  portion  of  the  third  preparation,  in  some  composition 
and  nerve  powder.  This  will  compose  the  system  so  aa 
to  rest  or  reinforce  nature,  and  hasten  delivery.  It  is 
of  great  service,  when  the  pains  are  lingering,  at  the 
time  of  giving  the  above  named  medicine,  to  use  an  in* 
jection,  in  common  form,  made  of  the  same  compound. 
This  will  hasten  or  delay  delivery,  as  nature  requires. 

RevMtrk About  the  time  of  delivery  apply  a  cloth  of 

several  thicknesses  wet  with  hot  water,  to  slack  the  mus- 
cles; repeat  it  occasionally,  and  keep  it  hot  till  nature  is 
ready  to  perform  her  work. 

I  attended  one  woman  in  this  city,  with  her  first  child. 
Her  strength  failed;  her  pains  slacked;  I  gave  her  a 
tabl^fmoonful  of  the  liquid  of  the  third  preparation; 
wraj^d  her  warm,  which  caused  her  to  vomit  once,  and 
raised  a  perspiration;  she  fell  asleep,  and  in  this  situa- 
tion' rested  four  hours,  when  the  head  of  the  child  wa» 
so  far  advanced,  as  to  have  been  visible.  She  awoke, 
her  travail  re-commenced  with  reinforced  vigor.  She 
was  delivered  rather  in  a  cold  statie;  she  flowed  badly; 
I  gave  her  some  No.  2,  and  drops,  with  a  little  fine  bay- 
berry,  which  had  the  desired  effect.  She  walked  from 
the  fire  to  the  bed,  and  did  well. 

There  is  another  distressing  complaint  incident  to  fe- 
males, worse  than  having  children ;  and  often  no  relief 
from  the  doctors.  I  have  seen  women  in  as  great  agony 
with  false  pains,  as  at  the  delivery  of  a  child.  A  strong 
tea  of  witch-hazle  leaves  and  nerve  powder,  and  a  little 
cayenne,  strained,  used  by  injection  eithejlfl^ay,  or  both, 
I  have  seen  relieve  like  throwing  water  on  the  fire.  The 
disorder  is  canker,  and  must  be  met  with  its  antidottt 
where  it  id.  .  ,^m 

These  few  remarks,  together  with  the  foregoA  caseg, 
will  be  sufficient  information  on  this  8ubj^ct.  In  con- 
clusion, I  would  ask,  can  we  attach  sufiicient  value  on 
a  medicine  that  will  give  rest  to  a  weary  patient  in  trur 
vail,  and  restore  the  nerves  and  muscles  to  a  giant-like 
strength,  as  refreshed  by  wine,  and  continue  the  strength 


Ea 


or,  Botanic  Family  PhyHctan. 


147 


until  delivery  is  completed;  and  at  the  same  time  guard 
againg|j§li  those  alarming  complaints,  which  too  often 
fmlowlRerwards?  A  medicine  to  which  you  may  re- 
iort  with  perfect  confidence,  in  times  of  the  greatest  per- 
il, that,  if  any  thing  can,  it  will  save  your  wife  and  child, 
and  the  fee  of  twenty  dollars  from  the  doctor.  This  is 
the  regular /ee  in  cities,  though  it  is  less  in  the  country. 


Supplemeid  to  the  Venereal..... See  page  130. 

There  are  four  diseases^  or  rather  four  names  of  dis- 
which  are  often  made  fatal,  in  consequence  of  the 
name.  1.  Venereal.  2.  Hydrophobia.  3.  Small-Pox. 
4,  Erysipelas.  As  the  remedy  is  laid  down  in  the  Med- 
ical FocKet  Book,  the  name  is  doctored  instead  of  the 
diiease.  If  a  child  has  a  sore  ear,  and  it  runs  a  yellow 
water,  it  will  spread  like  fire,  as  often  seen  on.fi  pot; 
and  it  will  inoculate  where  it  touches.  While  im  the 
child's  ear,  women  call  it  a  canker  sore;  and  there  is 
nothing  alarming  under  this  name.  Any  old  woman  can 
eure  it.  But  take  the  same  infection  from  the  ear,  and 
inoeulate  with  it,  in  that  part  of  the  body  where  venereal 
il  seated,  and  call  it  venereal,  the  consequence  is  the 
same;  and  by  the  same  mercurial  treatment,  there  would 
be  all  the  alarming  consequences  as  though  the  disorder 
was  generated  in  any  other  way.  Yea,  if  the  patient 
was  well,  with  the  same  administration  of  mercury,  in  the 
same  way,  and  to  the  same  extent,  the  buboes  and  shank- 
€rs  would  often  make  their  appearance  in  the  same  man- 
ner without  the  supposed  disease,  as  with.  They  doctor 
the  name  instead  of  the  disorder.  The  patient,  there- 
fore, as  oflen  loses  his  life  by  the  mercury,  as  by  the 
supposed  disease. 

Equally  so  in  hydrophobia,  by  taking  mercury,  the 
remediLbecome|  worse  than  the  disease. 

In  ^ler  of  tne  above  cases,  the  disorder  is  far  easier 
cured  by  a  regular  course  of  medicine,  than  the  poison 
given  for  it ;  as  the  mercury  is  harder  to  eradicate  from 
the  system,  than  all  the  natural  disease  incident  to 
mankind. 


148  ^w  Chidt  to  HeaUh; 

SuppkuMtU  to  Smalt  Pox.. ...See  page  113. 

Since  my  Itit  edition  was  published,  the  ^jtjkW  Vox 
has  been  thoroughly  attended  to,  and  the  general  rule, 
as  there  laid  down,  found  to  answer  every  purpose,  and 
produce  the  deiired  iffect.    To  bring  out  the  Small  Pox, 
as  in  the  roeailea  and  other  simHar  disorders,  be  careful 
not  to  have  too  much  outward  heat  while  the  pock  is 
filling.    I  viiited  a  family  in  Cincinnati,  last  winter,  who 
had  the  Small  Pox,  and  who  bad  had  the  Kine  Pox  pre- 
vious.   The  appearance  of  the  pustules  were  more  like 
■  poison  or  meaiileH  than  those  of  the  Small  Pox.    When 
it  turned,  it  began  to  flat,  instead  of  drying  off;  and  when 
it  had  flatted  down  to  the  vitals,  it  turned  in,  and  one  died, 
and  the  othsr  it  left  in  a  miserable  state  of  health;  the 
pits  hard  and  blue,  like  other  poison  sores;  and  I  am  of 
opinion  that  more  people  die  m  consequence  of  having 
the  Kine  Pox,  than  would  die,  let  the  Small  Pox  have  its 
natuul  run.    Becauie  the  nature  of  the  Small  Pox,  when 
takes  the  natural  way,  is  to  clear  the  system  from  every 
other  putrefaction,  which,  on  the  turn,  scabs  off  with  it. 
Not  so  in  the  Kine  Pox.    The  infection  partakes  of  every 
disorder  of  the  persons  from  whom  it  was  taken;  itch, 
venereal,  cancer  humors,  or  worse  than  all  the  rest,  mer- 
curial taint  given  by  the  doctor.    When  part,  or  all  of 
these  diseases  are  inoculated  into  a  healthy  person,  and 
has  no  way  to  diioharge  itself  from  the  system,  it  creates 
worse  disease  than  the  Small  Pox.    I  knew  a  man  in 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  who  was  inoculated  with  the  Kine 
Pox,  the  infection  taken  from  a  man  who  had  a  cancer 
humor.     He  was  a  healthy  man  when  inoculated.    I  saw 
him  within  two  vears,  and  it  was  judged  that  he  had  more 
than  half  A  peck  of  cancers  on  different  parts  of  the  body 
and  limbs,    He  imputed  it  entirely  to  this  inoculation; 
and  highly  disapproved  of  the  Kine  Pox.    He  died  in 
the  most  distressed  condition. 


|[::::j»All  people  who  have. been  attended  by  Patent 
Doctors,  are  cautioned  against  putting  themselves  under 
regular  doctors,  as  the  cases  have  generally  proved  fatal 
to  the  patient,  and  the  blame  palmed  on  the  Patent  Doc* 
tor:  some  after  two  weeks  in  their  care. 


or,  Botanic  Family  PhiflUcian. 


149 


Why  do  old  people  die  more  in  a  warm  and  rainy  winter 

«than  in  a  severe  cold  one'? 
swer  to  the  above  question  is  at  hand.  Old 
people  are  like  the  old  house  which  they  built  in  their 
younger  days.  The  house  decays  about  as  fast  as  its 
builder,  and  becomes  racked  with  wind  and  storms 
which  have  beaten  upon  it  until  the  cracks  open,  the 
shingles  blow  off,  and  the  house  grows  leaky  and  cold. 
So  is  the  man  in  his  old  age.  He  becomes  racked  with 
the  storms  and  hardships  of  life;  his  heat  goes  out,  the 
fire-place  decays,  his  food  digests  poorly  and  gives  but 
little  nourishment  or  heat  to  warm  the  body  and  expand 
the  lung^.  For  the  inward  heat  rarities  the  air  in  the 
limgs,  and  causes  them  to  expand,  by  lightening  the  air 
i -lin,  and  the  weight  of  the  surrounding  atmosphere, 
^<  ..'lug  higher  charged  with  oxygen  or  water,  puts  out  the 
fire  faster  than  dry  cold  air;  and  as  the  heat  decays  in- 
ward, the  weight  of  the  air  crowds  heavily  on  the  lungs, 
and  causes  great  difficulty  in  breathing;  the  lungs  la- 
bor like  the  wheel  of  a  mill  in  back  water,  the  foun- 
tain almost  level  with  the  stream,  until  the  heat  in  the 
lungs  becomes  insufficient  to  expand  them  any  longer; 
the  weight  of  the  air  comes  to  an  equilibrium  of  weight  in- 
side, and  all  motion  ceases.  The  water  in  the  air  has  put 
out  the  fire.  This  is  the  cause  why  those  people  who  have 
but  little  fire  in  the  body,  and  such  a  weight  of  damp  air  out- 
side, the  heat  is  so  soon  extinguished  inside ;  like  a  person 
falling  into  the  water;  the  cause  of  death  is,  the  water 
has  put  out  the  fire ;  and  when  the  air  is  full  of  water,  it 

futs  out  the  fire  in  the  same  proportion.     Thus  I  think 
have  given  a  satisfactory  cause  of  death  upon  natural 
principles.     The  cause  and  effect  are  in  themselves. 

In  this  case,  I  would  ask  the  Christian,  of  every  de- 
nomination, what  power,  here,  either  gave  or  took  away 
life  ?  Was  there  an^r  power  in  the  case  abstract  from  the 
cause  here  givenHpr  what  soul  or  spirit  went  out  at  deaths 
except  heat,  whiM  is  the  cause  of  life  and  breath.' 


Hoio  Doctors  shorten  the  lives  of  their  Patients. 

That  the  practice  of  the  regular  doctors,  as  they  are 
termed,  shortens  the  lives  of  tneir  patients,  is  a  truth  of 

a  13*  * 


150 


§flfw  Guide  to  Health; 


which  I  have  not  the  shadow  of  a  doubt;  and  the  cause, 
to  me,  is  obvious.  The  eold.  poisons  which  tluy  admin- 
ister, have  the  effect  of  chilling  the  stomach  (W  killing 
the  digestive  organs;  so  that  the  food  ^oes  not  raise  more 
than  half  the  heat  it  did  in  a  natural  state,  before  those 
poisons  had  been  administered.  Then  the  bleeding  and 
blistering  lessens  the  remainder  so  as  to  reduce  the  heat 
to  the  capacity  of  old  age.  It  is  the  same  thing,  no  mat- 
ter what  age,  from  one  hour  old  to  an  hundred  years. 
When  the  heat  is  so  far  exhausted  that  the  air  is  not  suf* 
ficiently  lightened  by  the  heat  as  to  expand  the  adjoin- 
ing air,  the  pressure  becomes  equalled,  external  and  in- 
ternal, the  same  as  in  the  case  of  a  drowned  person. 
T^ere  is  no  difference  as  to  age,  sex,  or  other  condition, 
80  far  as  the  practice  is  concerned  ;„and  so  far  as  that 
goes  to  lessen  the  heat  by  bleeding,  by  fever  powders, 
or  by  poison;  all  tend  to  lessen  inward  heat,  and  to  di- 
minish life  in  the  same  proportion;  and  when  it  is  en- 
tirety extinguished,  death  follows  as  a  natural  conse- 
quence; and  from  the  same  cause;  loss  of  heat,  what- 
ever it  may  "be  that  puts  out  the  fire.  The  putting  out 
of  the  fire,  or  extinguishing  inward  or  vital  heat,  is  the 
cause  of  death. 

All  practitioners,  therefore,  may  by  this  rule  either 
condemn  or  justify  themselves  by  looking  back  on  their 
former  practice,  and  asking  themselves  the  question, 
"  Have  I  cultivated  the  heat  of  my  patients,  to  prolong 
their  lives;  or  have  I  extinguished  their  heat,  and  there- 
by killed  or  destroyed  them?"  Is  not  this  question  fully 
answered  ?  Do  we  not  see  that  the  lives  of  human  be- 
ings are  daily  sacrificed,  at  all  ages,  from  birth  to  death? 
Who,  I  would  ask,  is  authorized  to  say,  in  such  a  case, 
that  any  mysterious  Providence  is  concernec'  in  the  death 
qf  our  friends,  when  they  are  destroyed  in  this  manner  ? 

In  every  thing  that  breathes,  the  breathing  is  from  the 
same  cause.  Without  heat,  there  is  i^  breathing.  But 
when  heat  is  continually  generated  olP^volved  i|i  a  con- 
fined room,  excepting  at  one  avenue,  as  in  the  lungs, 
there  must  be  breathing,  or  what  is  the  same,  an  inhal- 
ing of  cold  air,  and  an  exhaling  of  oxygen,  or  vapor 
firom  it.  Evei7  animal  body  has  its  lamp,  in  proportion 
t»  it«  bigneu;  and  ^8  continuing  to  burn,  is  much  owing 


OTf  Botanic  FamUy  Phyikian. 


151 


to  the  one  who  trims  or  takes  care  of  the  lamp.  If  it  be 
replenished  with  water  instead  of  oil,  and  with  an  icicle 
for  iiilk,  it  is  like  the  method  in  which  the  doctors 
trim  the  lamps  of  their  patients.  Taking  out  the  blood, 
is  like  pourins  out  the  oil ;  and  the  cold  poison  is  as  the 
icicle  for  a  wick.  The  effect  soon  follows,  which  is  cold 
and  darkness.  Can  we  doubt  this  being  the  fact  at  the 
present  time  ?  Do  we  not  often  see  the  head  of  a  family 
suddenly  made  cold  by  his  lamp  being  put  out;  and  three 
or  four  children  taken  from  one  house,  all  havinff  their 
lamps  blown  out  ?  Can  any  one  suppose  that  had  their 
lamps  been  trimmed  with  good  oil,  and  good  wicks,  but 
that  they  would  have  continued  burning  as  long  as  the 
body  of  the  lamp  remained  whole  ?  But  if  we  continue 
not  to  be  our  own  guards  and  sentinels,  but  employ  arti- 
ficial and  learned  fools  to  watch  over  us,  and  save  our 
oil  for  their  own  use,  and  trim  our  lamps  with  water  and 
ice,  we  cannot  wonder  at  seeing  our  wives  and  children 
'*  dashed  in  pieces  like  the  potter's  vessel."  When  we 
employ  seamen  to  drive  our  coach  of  life,  instead  of 
horsemen;  and  as  long  as  custom,  superstition,  error 
and  bigotry,  are  the  ruling  principles  of  the  world,  we 
never  can  expect  to  live,  while  all  the  oil  in  our  lamps 
is  consumed;  but  to  be  blown  out  by  the  breath  of  ig- 
norance, if  nothing  worse,  as  mankind  have  been  in  all 
ages  where  the  poisonous  breath  of  the  Bohon  Upas  over- 
takes them. 


'>^ 


1  case, 
death 

anner  ? 

om  the 

.    But 
a  con- 
lungs, 
inhal- 


The  learned  have  added  nothing  to  the  healing  art; 
but  they  have  done  much  in  taking  the  knowledge  of  the 
simple  remedies  from  the  people.  They  have  substitut- 
ed the  poisonous  minerals  which  have  multiplied  the  forms 
of  disease,  and  thereby  added  to  our  bills  of  mortality. 
They  have  taken  midwifery  from  the  tender  hands  of 
women,  and  substituted  the  torturing  instruments  of  steel, 
whereby  not  only  childrefi,  but  even  women  have  been 
sacrificed.  In  relation  to  such  practice,  Robinson  says, 
Lee.  viii.  p.  103,  *'Iti8,  in  truth,  like  running  the  gaunt- 
let among  armed  Indians,  or  red  hot  plough-shares,  to 
escape  from  the  poisons  of  medical  practice." 


1G2  JV*ev  Guide  to  Health; 

SEAMEN'S    DIRECTIONS. 

After  purchasing  the  right,  and  having  a  sunple  of 
Medicine  numbered,  these  Directions  are  the  lirst  les- 
sons learned,  as  it  gives  a  short  and  concise  view  of  the 
system  and  practice.  In  the  first  stages  of  disease,  oile  gill 
of  a  tea  of  No.  3,  may  be  used  simple,  with  or  without 
sugar.  In  more  violent  attacks,  use  from  half  to  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  No.  2;  let  the  patient  be  covered  with  a 
blanket,  by  the  ftre  or  in  bed ;  apply  a  ho(  stone  to  the 
feet;  if  this  does  not  relieve  them,  add  the  emetic,  No.  1, 
and  nerve  powder,  and  so  through  a  course  of  medicine. 
In  all  cases  where  the  glands  are  dry,  and  much  fever, 
the  emetic  should  be  used  without  spirit ;  the  bitters  also 
are  best  taken  in  hot  water  sweetened  than  with  spirit. 
The  objection  to  phydic  and  bleeding,  is  given  in  these 
directions  hereafter.  The  complement  of  medicine  given 
as  a  family  stock,  is  more  to  show  the  simplicity  of  the 
articles,  than  the  requisite  quantity  required.  Give  chil- 
dren drink  often,  sick  or  well. 

ICT^  The  public  are  cautioned  against  employing  any 
one  who  shall  pretend  to  use  his  own  improvements  with 
my  System  of  Practice,  as  I  will  not  be  accountable  for 
any  mal-practice  of  his. 

Th'  Emetic  number  one's  design'd 
A  gen'ral  med'cine  for  mankind, 
Of  every  country,  clime,  or  place. 
Wide  as  the  circle  of  our  race. 

In  every  case,  and  state,  and  stage, 
Whatever  malady  may  rage ; 
For  male  or  female,  young  or  old, 
>    Nor  can  its  value  half  be  told. 

To  use  this  med'cine  do  not  cease. 
Till  you  are  helped  of  your  disease; 
,      For  nature's  friend,  this  sure  .Irill  be. 
When  you  are  taken  sick  at  sea. 

Let  number  two  be  used  as  bold, 
To  clear  the  stomath  of  the  cold; 
Next  steep  the  coffee,  number  three, 
And  keep  as  warm  as  you  can  be. 


■;(.■    U 


Off  Botanic  Famly  Phafsician.  16S 

A  hot  stone  at  the  feet  now  keep, 
As  well  as  inward  warmth  repeat, 
"IRie  ^untaih  'bove  the  streaqi  keep  clear, 
And  perspiration  will  appear. 

When  sweat  enough,  as  you  suppose. 
In  spirit  wash,  and  change  your  clothes; 
Again  to  bed,  both  clean  and  white, 
And  sleep  in  comfort  all  the  night. 

Should  the  disorder  reinforce. 
Then  follow  up  the  former  course; 
The  seconfl  time  I  think  will  do. 
The  third  to  fail  I  seldom  knew. 

Now  take  your  bitters  by  the  way. 
Two,  three,  or  four  times  in  a  day ; 
Your  appetite,  if  it  be  good. 
You  may  eat  any  kind  of  food. 

Physic,  I  would  by  no  means  choose 
To  have  you  first  or  last  to  use ; 
For  if  you  take  it  much  in  course, 
It  will  disorder  reinforce. 

If  any  one  should  be  much  bruis'd, 
Where  bleeding  frequently  is  used, 
A  lively  sweat  upon  that  day, 
Will  start  the  blood  a  better  way. 

Let  names  of  all  disorders  be 
Like  to  the  limtj>8,  join'd  on  a  tree ; 
Work  on  the  root,  and  that  subdue, 
Then  all  the  limbs  will  bow  to  you. 

So  as  the  body  is  the  tree. 
The  limbs  are  cholic,  pleurisy, 
Worms  and  gravel,  gout  and  stone, 
Remove  the  cause,  and  they  are  gone. 

My  system's  founded  on  this  truth, 
Man's  Air  and  Water,  Fire  and  Earth, 
And  death  is  cold,  and  life  is  heat. 
These  temper'd  well,  your  health's  complete. 


154  AW»  Guide  to  Heaitk; 

THE    PRACTICE    Or    MEDICINE. 

This  practice  is  on  the  reverse  principle  from  the 
practice  of  Physic,''*'  being  agreeable  to  nature,  restoring 
the  very  principles  which  physic  destroys;  for  it  opens 
obstructions,  promotes  perspiration,  and  restores  diges- 
tion. These  great  objects  are  obtained  by  the  most  sim- 
?le  medicines,  all  of  which  grow  in  the  fields  of  nature, 
'he  three  first  numbers  remove  disease  of  all  forms  or 
symptoms  by  which  it  may  appear ;  fevers  of  every  color, 
as  well  as  plagues  caused  by  the  physic  of  the  doctor, 
under  every  name,  all,  all  are  removed  by  three  articles 
brought  to  a  unit  in  practice;  viz.  Lobelia,  or  as  Dr. 
Waterhouse  calls  it,  Thomsonia  emelica,  Cayenne  and 
Bayberry  bark;  f  all  made  fine,  and  to  be  administered 
in  a  course  of  medicine,  aided  by  steam.  (Too  simple 
to  be  believed.)  Then  prove  it  by  the  three  witnesses 
I  have  named.  The  rule  is  proved  to  be  a  true  one,  by 
the  remedy  being  elSectual.  Three  numbers  remove  dis- 
ease, as  I  said  before ;  and  three  numbers  are  restora- 
tives; viz.  bitters  in  three  forms,  under  three  numbers, 
4,  5  and  6 ;  these  are  correctors  of  the  gall,  in  vulgar 
English,  or  bilis  [bile]  in  modest  Latin.  •  [N.  B.  The 
most  important  remark,  and  most  essential  to  be  borne  in 
mind  by  the  practitioner,  at  all  times,  day  or  night,  sum- 
mer or  winter,  is  the  difference  between  correcting  and 
substituting!!!] 

If  you  correct  the  bile,  the  natural  physic  of  the  body 
is  restored;  if  you  substitute  calomel  and  gallop  [jalap] 
for  gall,  you  will  soon  gallop  your  patient  out  of  the 
world,  as  all  the  learned  doctori  have  done,  since  the 
days  of  Paracelsus,  when  he  introduced  poison  minerals 
as  substitutes  for  gall,  which  has  caused  all  the  plagues 
of  the  world,  as  is  shown  in  the  treatise  on  the  practice 
of  physic;  the  practice  of  physic  being  substituted  for 
-  the  practice  of  medicine ;  or  physic  for  gall. 

Better  late  than  never.  A  natural  miracle  wrought. 
A  case  of  consumption,  of  one  year's  standing,  cured  by 
one  course  of  medicine.     See  Wm.  Raymond's  certifi- 

•  St?e  Narrative,  page  217. 

t  This  is  essential  to  be  used  in  all  disease ;  because  the  first 
effect  bf  disease  is  canke^,  and  this  is  the  remedy  for  it ;  or  it  ii 
good  as  a  preventive  of  canker. 


or,  Botanic  FamUy  Phyiietan. 


155 


and 


cate,  of  Beverly,  page  188,  inserted  in  full  in  the  first  edi- 
tion, and  referred  to  in  this.  Another  and  greater  mira- 
cle. A  hundred  days  fever,  and  fevers  of  all  colors, 
turned  in  from  24  to  48  hours,  by  the  foregoing  simple 
rule,  correcting  instead  of  substituting.  Why  does  this 
simple  correctmg  cure  consumption,  fevers,  choleras, 
and  all  other  diseases?  Answer:^  Because  the  gall  is  a 
friend  to  nature,  and  an  enemy  to  all  human  disease, 
whatever  name  the  doctor  may  give  it.  Why  is  it  90? 
The  gall  is  the  regulator  and  physic  of  the  body,  which, 
when  kept  well  regulated,  is  so  fortified  that  no  cold  can 
take  place  to  cause  disease.  For  ^he  food  is  the  fuel, 
and  the  gall  is  the  fire  to  consume  ihe  food;  which  con- 
sumption of  food  will  keep  up  that  internal  heat  on  which 
life  depends.  But  by  daily' taking  food  inic  the  stomach, 
like  fuel  in  the  fire-place,  it  may  and  often  do«.<«  like  the 
chimney,  become  foul,  and  each  one  wauts  his  physioiau, 
with  his  appropriate  remedies.  The  chimney  sweeper 
with  his  brush  and  scraper  for  the  one,  and  the  Thomson- 
ian  practitioner  with  his  three  numbers  and  steam  for  the 
other;  and  when  each  one  has  done  his  duity,  as  a  skil- 
ful physician  can  and  will  do,  the  fire-place  will  receive 
and  consume  the  fuel,  consequently  the  whole  room  be 
warmed  as  before:  so,  in  the  body,  when  the  Thoinson- 
ian  has  done  his  duty  in  clearing  the  stomach,  promoting 
perspiration,  and  has  restored  the  digestive  powers,  then 
will  the  stomach  receive  its  natural  required  food,  and 
the  gall  will  digest  it,  whereby  the  heat,  life,  flesh, 
strength  and  vigor,  are  constantly  kept  up  as  his  reward. 
Here,  reader,  is  the  sii|ple  dif*  jrence,  plain  to  your  un- 
derstanding, between  substituting  and  correcting  the 
bile.  The  gall  is  the  regulator  of  the  body,  and  the 
medicine  is  the  key,  to  regulate  this  regulator;  and  if 
rightly  regulated,  your  human  machine  will  run  until 
worn  out  by  old  age,  the  only  cause  of  death,  casualties 
excepted.  By  this  rule,  the  cause  of  all  disorder  is  be? 
fore  you;  when  the  stomach  grows  foul  and  the  food  is 
not  craved,  and  of  course  not  received,  the  gall  has  noth- 
ing to  perform,  any  more  than  the  fire  has  when  there  is 
no  fuel,  of  course  the  room  grows  cold;  so  in  the  body, 
when  persons  receive  no  food,  the  heat,  and  of  course 
the  life,  runs  down,  for  want  of  the  support  firom  food; 


156 


JV*eto  Chide  to  Health; 


this  if  the  begiimin^  of  disease,  and  in  the  same  ratio 


the  end  of  life.    This 


for 


consumption,  onconsumini 
the  want  of  support.  If  one  Thomsonian  course  wili  an- 
swer all  purposes  for  correcting  the  sail,  and  restoring 
the  digestion,  so  that  the  appetite  will  crave  food  suffi- 
ciently, and  the  gall  will  digest  it,  then  will  one  course 
of  medicine  cure  conmBaption,  as  this  is  the  only  cause 
of  consumption  in  nature,  and  the  only  certain  cure  for  it. 

Here  you  see  the  cause  of  the  success  of  Thomson's 
fools,  (as  they  are  called);  if  they  keep  in  his  track  they 
will  come  out  right  in  the  end;  for  I  have  made  the  cal- 
culation of  the  cause  of. disease  and  the  remedy,  and  if 
the  directions  are  followed,  they  will  answer  the  purpose 
I  intended,  whether  my  fool  knows  the  cause  or  not^  for 
skilful  medicine  is  better,  administered  by  my  fool,  than 
poison  administered  by  the  hand  of  a  learned  doctor. 

By  these  treatises  on  physic  and  medicine,  the  reader 
will  see  the  cause  why  I  do  not  order  nor  give  any  phy- 
sic, and  why  all  who  follow  my  directions  are  successful 
and  yet  cannot  account  for  it ;  and  also  will  be  able  to 
account  for  the  bad  success  of  those  who  pretend  to  im- 
prove on  my  system,  by  giving  physic,  as  was  exempli- 
fied by  the  improvement  of  H.  Howard,  at  Columbus, 
Ohio;  the  consequence  was,  six  out  of  eight  of  his  own 
family,  including  himself,  died  with  cholera  mortification. 


ON    THE 


•A    SHORT 
LAWS    OP 


TRIJATISE 

lillJE    AND    MOTION. 


Clearly  to  understand  the  laws  of  life  and  motion,  the 
radical  principles  of  animalization  is  of  infinite  moment. 
Without  some  adequate  views  and  conceptions  of  these, 
the  nature  of  disease  cannot  be  correctly  understood, 
neither  can  we  have  knowledge  to  prescribe  a  rational, 
safe,  sure  and  certain  remedy  for  the  removal  of  disease 
when  found  in  the  human  system. 

Through  many  long  and  tedious  seasons,  these  suIh 
iects  had  revolved  in  n^mind,  before  I  could  form  what 
I  considered  a  correct  opinion.  I  witnessed  many  dis- 
tresjses  in  the  family  of  man;  my  heart  wad  pierced  with 
many  sorrows,  until  my  mind  was  established  in  those 


or,  Botanic  Family  Phyiician. 


167 


'  I 


sub- 

what 

ly  dis- 

d  with 

those 


Bimple  truths  that  havo  laid  tho  foundatiou  of  my  prac- 
tice that  has  been  so  succosilul  in  subsequent  years. 

Persecution  raged  against  inu— -till  tht  presses  in  the 
country  were  closed  aguiust  ine— Priests,  doctors,  law- 
yers and  legislators  were  combined  against  me — Ex  post 
facto  laws  were  put  in  operation— prosecutions  commenc- 
ed— false  witnesses  arose— bigotry,  prejudice  °TM|ff"p"*'~ 
stition,  like  Salem  witchoruft,  wnvod  tiieir  magiS^wand, 
but  all  in  vain — truth  ban  provftil^cl.  The  darkness  of 
the  ancient  philosophers  is  passing  away,  and  those  sim- 
ple truths,  which  are  the  genuine  Pkihtophy  of  life,  and 
the  fruits  of  the  labors  of  my  life,  begin  to  prosper  be- 
yond my  former  expectations. 

As  I  have  never  been  a  man  of  extensive  reading,  and 
make  no  pretensions  to  tclwol  learning  and  hook  knowl- 
edge, if  medical  or  philosophical  writers  have  taught  the 
same  doctrines  before  me,  it  is  what  I  am  not  apprised 
of.  It  is  for  the  truth  of  the  doctrine,  and  not  tor  any 
claims  of  reputation  as  an  original  writer,  that  I  would 
more  strenuously  contend, 

When  Napoleon  stood  in  arms  and  was  acknowledged 
Emperor  of  France,  the  nations  were  frightened — when 
a  prisoner,  the  kings  of  the  eartii  trembled  for  fear  of 
him — ^they  dared  not  to  sutTer  him  to  go  at  large  on  main 
land,  but  assigned, him  a  more  safe  retreat  in  the  solitudea 
of  St.  Helena. 

The  writer  is  aware  that  the  success  of  his  system  has 
carried  equal  terrors  into  the  ranks  of  medical  opposition. 
Their  malice  and  persecution  that  brought  him  to  the 
dungeon  and  chains,  jKero  tho  fruits  of  envy  and  fear. 
I  have  driven  the  ulpige  faculty  to  fly  to  law  -legs  to 
stand  upon,  because  tm  strons  tide  of  public  opinion, 
confirmed  by  testimony,  lot  so  heavily  against  them,  that 
they  had  no  other  way  to  rise  over  the  steam  doctors  and 
keep  them  down. 

The  difficulty  appears  to  have  been  that  the  steam 
faculty  were,  in  many  instances,  so  inclined  to  receive 
instruction,  that  they  became  natural  philosophers  in  faith 
and  pr^otice.  Following  nature,  they  were  successful 
practitioners — ^they  could  relieva||iittress  and  remove  dis- 
ease, when  by  the  regular  oollego  doctord,  hundreds 
were  hurried  to  their  long  home. 
14  * 


rl 


158 


A*ew  Guide  to  UeaUh; 


I 


The  subject  of  lifu  and  motion  is  of  great  iihportance« 
and  should  be,  ftrst  impressed  on  the  mind  of  all  who 
intend  to  ttudy^^tfie  healmg  art.  Unless  this  is  first  un- 
derstood, the  whole  business  of  practice  will  be  at  least 
uncertain.  The  principles  of  life  in  human  or  other  an- 
iroal  bodies  is  the  same ;  all  constitutions  are  alike,  be- 
ing ftijIlBd  from  the  same  materials,  and  all  partaking  of 
the  foiir  elements,  earth,^  water,  air  and  fire  or  heat. 

The  component  parts  of  all  animal  bodies  are  earth 
and  water.  These  are  the  solids;  fire  and  air  are  the 
fluids.  Death  and  life  are  cold  and  heat.  These  form 
my  text — a  text  never  yet  preached  from  by  man,  and 
et  a  sermon  was  never  preached  without  it.  After  ful- 
1^  understanding  both  the  text  and  the  sermon,  any  ques- 
tion on  the  cause  of  life  and  motion  can  be  fully  answer- 
ed; why  a  ship  goes  through  the  sea;  a  steamboat 
through  the  river;  an  eagle  through  the  air;  or  a  car- 
riage through  the  street.  The  cause  bf  all  these  is  con- 
tained in  the  principle  of  my  text.  But,  what  can  the 
text  be?  It  must  be  breathine,  says  one.  But  can 
breathing  be  the  cause  of  life  and  motion  ?  No.  Breath- 
ing is  an  effect,  not  the  cause.  But  heat,  the  cause  of 
breathing,  i^  the  cause  of  life  and  motion.  This  there- 
fore is  my  text.     The  cause  of  life  and  motion. 

First  try  the  efiect  of  heat,  what  is  called  caloric,  or 
fire,  on  water.  Suppose  you  put  a  skillet  on  the  fire  full 
of  water;  after  putting  it  on  a  few  minutes,  put  your 
hand  in  it;  the  warm  water  will  be  on  the  top,  and  the 
cold  water  will  be  at  the  bottom.  The  cause  of  this  is, 
as  fast  as  the  water  grows  warm|||  rises,  and  the  heavier 
water  settles  at  the  bottom ;  111  as  it  heats,  it  grows 
lighter,  until  it  all  becomes  lively  and  active,  called  boil- 
ing, and  thus  will  all  fly  away  by  steam  or  sweat.  This 
is  the  eflect  of  fire  on  water. 

We  next  try  the  efiect  of  fire  on  air.  Suppose  a  house 
built  in  an  open  field;  the  air  fills  all  parts  equally  alike, 
the  same  as  the  surrounding  atmosphere.  There  is  no 
breathing.  But  close  the  doors  and  windows,  and  build 
a  good  fire,  and  as  fast  u  the  air  grows  light,  the  house 
begins  to  breathe;  eve^door  and  window  is  on  the  hum. 
The  cause  of  this  is,  the  fire  lightens  the  air  in  the  room, 
and  the  air  outside  of  the  house  being  colder,  and  of 


or,  Bolani^amily  Phyncian. 


159 


course  heavier,  presses  in  at  every  crack  to  form  an 
equilibrium  of  weight ;  and  as  long  as  y^  fire  continues 
to  burn,  the  house  will  continue  to  brenhe ;  but  as  fast 
as  the  fire  decays,  the  noise  of  breathing  ceases;  and 
should  the  air  be  all  taken  out  of  the  house  at  once,  the 
weiffht  outside  would  crush  the  |iouse  to  piecea^ike  a 
broken  esg-shell.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  tha'  fire,  4||irhat| 
ever  produces  heat,  lightens  air  and  water,  causing  thcrA 
to  expand)  and  hence  causes  br^athmg  which  always  ar- 
companies  life  and  motion. 

Thus  the  caiise  of  breathing  will  be  pesceived  If 
there  were  no  heat  in  the  house,  the  house  would  not 
breathe;  and  also,  if  there  were  no  heat  in  the  body,  the 
body  would  not  breathe.  All  animal  bodies  breatHe  ns 
long  as  they  live;  and  when  they  die,  it  is  said,  t).ev  viie 
for  the  want  of  breath.  If  you  can  find,  or  unde:  stanu, 
what  made  them  breathe  wKile  alive;  it  is  very  easy  to 
find  what  made  them  leave  ofi*  breathing.  They  had 
heat  while  alive ;  but  no  heat,  or  not  sufficient  heat  to 
continue  the  breathing,  when  dead.  Here,  therefore,  is 
the  cause.  When  the  heat  lightens  the  air  in  the  iatigs, 
the  external  air  being  heavier  pressed  out  the  light  air 
and  filled  the  lungs  with  fresh  and  heavy  air;  and  the 
lungs  will  continue  to  contract  and  expand  as  long  as  the 
fire  or  heat  continues;  and  when  the  heat  goes  out,  the 
weight  of  the  air  comes  to  a  slack  or  balance,  inside  and 
outside,  and  all  motion  ceases.    This  i.  'i  state  of  death. 

Thus  I  have  shown  the  ca^se  of  b  o  whing,  and  the 
cause  of  leaving  off  breathing,  which  is  called  dying, 
viz.,  the  heat,  which ^Ukept  up  by  the  digestion  or  de- 
composition of  food,  iHhtens  the  air  in  the  lungs,  and 
causes  it  to  expand,  and  the  c  aU  air  comes  in  to  supply 
its  place.  Man  has  both  the  cause  and  the  effect  in  him- 
self. 

All  animal  bodies  move  by  the  power  of  steam  or  heat; 
the  heat  causing  the  lungs  to  expand,  and  the  steam  gpes 
off  with  the  breath,  in  part,  and  partly  by  the  pores  of 
the  body  in  perspiration;  and  this  steam  engine  carries 
its  own  pump,  the  pump  of  the  heart,  which  pumps  the 
blood  through  the  arteries  and%eturns  it  back  through 
the  veins  which  warms  the  whole  body  and  limbs,  and 
will  continue  as  long  as  the  fire  and  water  continue  to 


160 


JV*eu  Guide  ioWfealth; 


perform  their  respective  offices  in  the  bod^,  with  a  good 
Engineer  to  gaj|pirn  and  take  care  of  the  ingenious  and 
delicate  machine. 

The  fuel  is  niext  to  be  considered  whifeh  continues  the 
fire  or  life  of  all  animal  bodies.  The  food  taken  into  the 
stomagh  is  as  fuel  in  the  fire-place  of  the  house  or  in  the 
^ileim  the  steam-engintof  life.  The  drink,  or  water 
taken,-  supplies  the  |)ipiler  whereby  the  steam  is  raised, 
which  carries  the  puiifi  of  the  heart.  The  same  heat 
lightens  the  air  in  the  lungs  whereby  the  breath  goes  on 
regularly;  the  light  air  is  throM'n  out  and  the  heavy  air 
pressed  in,  the  same  as  in  the  house.  In  the  body  th^re 
is  but  one  avenue ;  so  that  the  inhaling  and  exhaling  of 
the  air  are  through  one  and  the  same  channel,  half  one 
way,  and  half  the  other.  This  is  called  the  breathing 
of  the  engine  within,  which  engine  will  continue  to  go, 
or  move,  as  long  as  it  is  managed  according  to  its  na- 
ture and  principle,  or  until  it  is  worn  out  with  old  age, 
the  only  death  incident  to  the  machine  or  life  of  animal 
bodies;  all  others  are  untimely  deaths,  as  hinted  at  by 
the  wise  man.  <*  Thou  fool,  why  shouldest  thou  die  be-^ 
fore  thy  time?" 

The  wicked  do  not  live  out  half  their  days.  And  the 
ignorant  suffer  the  same  consequence  by  doctors,  or  by 
those  who  pretend  to  be  engineers  to  keep  your  steam- 
engine  of  life  in  order.  Instead  of  applying  proper 
fuel  to  continue  the  fire  of  life,  they  tap  the  boiler,  draw 
out  the  hot  water  or  blood,  and  throw  in  snow  and  ice, 
or  mercury,  arsenic,  antimony,  nitre,  &c.  Down  goes 
your  boat  in  the  prime  of  life^estruction  and  death 
caused  by  learned  fools,  who  kWk  not  the  cause  of  life 
and  motion  any  more  than  as  though  they  never  possess- 
ed a  human  body.  Here  the  fool  has  led  the  fool  into 
the  ditch  until  it  is  full  and  running  over. 

Who  cannot  see,  by  the  foregoing  principle  of  life,  as 
here  laid  down,  that  mankind  are  killed  as  untimely  as 
the  beasts,  and  nearly  as  many  of  them,  even  before  the 
noon  of  life  ?  This  is  caused  by  the  force  of  education* 
which  has  made  them  nMre  ignorant  than  the  beasts;  for 
the  beasts  were  never  known  to  kill  off  each  other  in  so 
ignorant  and  ridiculous  a  manner.  Look;  then  choose 
school-masters  among  the  beasts,  and  learn  wisdom,  and 


or,  Botatm  Family  Physician. 


161 


prolong  your  lives;  and  not  sacrifice  each  other  as  you 
dO  the  beasts,  and  as  many  of  them,  fat  no  purpose  un- 
less it  be  to  get  rid  of  them,  as  you  woflTd  mad  dogs,  and 
then  throw  them  in  heaps  to  rat  in  like  nmnner.  Wheth- 
ir  this  sacrifice  of  human  linns  done  tffough  ignorance 
or  design,  it  is  tne  same  wnh  regard  to  its  victims;  the 
loss  of  life  is  the  same.     Is  there  no  way  to  remedy  sudi 

ivils?    Look,  weep,  and  lr#^l^1! 

I  return  to  the  cause  Q£Jiw|^'moti(ffl.     Besides  ani- 
ma\  life,  there  is  the  liCeW^v<iptables,^hich,  to  a  cer- 


tain extent  is  undeiisontrol  of  tiie  same  principles  as  that 
of  animal  life.  ^Viathout  earth,  water,  fire,  and  air,  no 
v@getaj^ilin  can  ei^st.  Ih  the  lifeter  season  there  is  a 
state  of  death  in  pr<){>ortn>n  to  the  loss  of  heat,  or  a  sus- 
pension of  Ufo.  Irk  the  spring,  a  new  birth  is  given,  not 
only  to  vegetation,  but  to  insects.  Reptiles  of  the  dust 
also  rise  from  a  state  of  silence  or  suspended  animation, 
to  a  state  of  life  and  vigor.  Heat  in  this  case  is  not  on- 
ly an  agent  of  life,  but  it  is  in  fact  life  itself.  So,  in  the 
rtverse  case j  cold  is  not  only  a  proximation  to  death, 
but  it  is  death  itseilf.  Heat  will  not  act  alone,  but  in  ac- 
oordance  with  the  other  elements,  without  which  there  is 
no  life,  neither  animal  nor  vegetable.  Neither  could 
there  be  any  action  in  the  other  elements  without  it. 
For  instance,  let  the  element  of  fire  be  taken  out  of  the 
other  elements,  and  they  would  all  be  silent;  all  life 
would  be  swallowed  up  in  death;  the  earth  and  sea  would 
be  frozen  to  one  solid  mass  of  substance,  as  one  solid  rock; 
the  air  would  be  as  silent  as  the  other  two  elements — a 
total  state  of  death.  Pause,  doctors!  Look  back  on 
your  cold  patients!  llfhile  looking  on  the  cold  corpse 
of  the  elements,  when  the  God  of  nature  has  withdrawn 
his  attributes  of  heat,  light  and  life ;  then  conclude,  and 
say  to  thyself,  "  Have  I  cultivated  the  heat  of  my  pa- 
tients to  prolong  their  lives,  or  have  I  drawn  out  their 
blood,  as  does  the  butcher  the  blood  of  the  beast  to  kill, 
whioh  has  produced  the  same  effect?**  Look  at  your 
cholera  patients  who  have  been  bled  and  the  requisite 
dose  of  brandy,  opium  and  mercury  giyen;  their  extrem- 
ities and  breath  nearly  cold;  and  then  answer  the  ques* 
tion  to  your  own  conscience  and  to  your  God.  The 
question  is,  what'haa  killed  or  destroyed  themM! 
14*  .  ^ 


163 


yew  Guide  to  tl/fftUh; 


Study  of  lintUoim.  or  the  Skeleton  in  Ua  jyatural  Dress, 

This  view  of  me  skeleton  has  been  almost  totally  ne- 
glected. The  i||idy  it  ti%e  anatomy  ills  scarcely  en- 
tered the  mind  of  the  ttnalfinist;  but^^e  dead  one  has 
been  thoroughly  exMiinedi  and  also  how  to  make  them. 
Wxi  the  ttuoy  of  the.^jff^atomy,  and  how  to  keep  it 
alive,  ii  yet  a  dark  ral|pliyji(rille  learned ;  but  to  the  il- 
literate, It  if  pliiH  and  f^pflPThe  constitutions  of  all 
mankind  are  eiientielly  afike;  t|j|y  have  similar  solids 
and  fluids,  vb.  bones,  ctrtilaf«i,  ten%ips,  nerves,  veins, 


arteries,  flesh,  blood  tjjjd  other  juices;  bodies  |nd  parts 
or  members;  and  all  are  sustai^d  in  is  similar  a  banner 
as  their  formation,  fVom  the  earth  an4the  other  elements, 
the  common  mother  of  us  all.  Man  is  composed  of  the 
elements,  and  by  the  same  elements  he  is  supported.  A 
state  of  perfect  health  arises  from  a  due  proportion  of 
these  elements;  and  when  this  is  by  any  means  de- 
stroyed, the  body  is  more  or  less  disordered,  and  there 
is  always  in  the  nrst  instance  an  actual  diminution  of  the 
element  of  Are,  heat,  or  life;  and  it  is  produced  by  its 
opposite,  cold  or  death.  Heat  may  be  denominated  life 
itself,  the  best  ph^sleian  of  the  body;  and  whoever  has 
not  studied  the  living  anatomy  is  not  qualified  to  be  a 
physician  of  value,  or  to  kindle  up  the  decaying  spark 
of  heat  or  life;  but  such  a  one  will  be  like  those  of 
the  present  day,  "  forgers  of  lies  and  physicians  of  no. 
value," 

When  I  studied  the  live  anatomy  of  my  own  body,  I 
observedi  when  I  was  mowing,  «||Biaking  hay,  and  the 
sun  came  the  nearest  being  dilrlctly  over  my  head,  I 
found  I  had  the  most  heat,  most  life,  most  sensation,  and 
most  ambition.  Here  was  my  college ;  here  was  my  book 
open;  here  was  the  god  of  nature,  my  President  and  In- 
structor; here  I  graduated;  here  I  got  my  diploma. 
Here  I  come  before  the  world  to  prove  the  facts  and  in- 
struct others  in  the  true  principles  of  anatomy  of  human 
life,  and  bow  to  restore  tne  decaying  spark  of  life  in  suf- 
fering huniBnlty,.  The  book  ts  open,  the  lesson  plain  to 
common  sense,  of  what  is  life,  and  what  is  death.  There . 
is  no  mistake  with  those  who  have  studied  this  anatomy, 
as  laid  down  in  this  book  of  nature.    Taught  by  this 


or,  Botanic  Family  Physician. 


163 


President,  and  haying  received  a  ^loma  fronr  his  un- 
erring hand,  I  speaf  with  confidence,  believing  that  there 
can  pe  no  mistake  in  the  rules  as  taught  in  this  school 
ofAnatoin^.  {|[«re  are  the  jM[inc||les  gf  life,  and  even 
life  itself.  *  * 

The*-' next  lesson  is  to  know  the  (jQrmptoms  when  this 
principle  begins  to  decay  or  Bglfve  on#ard  towards  death. 
'  The  patient  complains,  '*  I  I^h9,g|»t  a  bad  cold."  Here 
'^  death  begins,  and  will  |M>i^iiit^  until  the  patient  is  all 
cold,  unless  checke^y  neat  or  fever,  nature's  friend. 
Strange  to  tell !  QiinTever,  or  heat,  be  a  friend  to  life  ? ! ! 
Surely.  RemeMber  when  I  w^  at  college,  making  hay, 
and  studying  anatomy  in  its  m<!M9t  lively  form  with  the 
meridian  sun  overiji|y  head,  when  I  had  the  most  life, 
sensation  und  ambition.  Was  not  this  condition  life  it- 
self? If  so,  restore  the  patient  who  has  got  cold,  or  lost 
hfs  heat,  which  is  the  same  thing,  as  soon  as  possible,  to 
the  same  condition  as  he  was  when  the  sun  was  over  his 
head ;  open  the  obstructions  caused  by  cold ;  promote 
perspiration;  take  off  canker;  and  restore  digestion,  so 
that  the  food  may  keep  up  that  heat  on  which  life  de- 
pends, and  let  all  the  people  say,  Amen.  Glory  to  the 
God  of  Nature,  President  of  this  college. 


Heat,  the  Moving  Principk  of  Life  and  Motion. 

The  rays  of  light  reflect  back  heat,  and  steam,  which 
rises  to  a  certain  height  where  the  atmosphere  settles, 
or  the  reflection  of  the  sun  meets  it,  and  condenses  the 
steam  taken  from  the  earth,  which  makes  clouds  or  fog; 
and  the  hotter  the  day  the  higher  will  this  reflection  rise, 
and  the  more  sudden  will  be  the  shower,  and  the  heavier 
will  be  the  wind.  The  greater  the  space  lightened  by 
heat,  the  greater  will  be  the  drift  of  the  cold  and  damp 
wind  until  the  space  is  equalized.  By  this  eflTect  of  heat 
lightening  air  and  water  all  the  motion  of  the  elements  is 
caused;  without  heat  there  "would  be  no  motion,  as  be- 
fore stated ;  all  space  must  be  flUed  either  with  air  or 
water  to  form  an  equilibrium^  When  heat  lightens  any 
space  of  air,  the  adjoining  air  will  move  in  to  make  the 
space  equal.    This  causes  the  blowing  of  the  wind;  and 


ii 


* 


164 


JVet0  Chide  to  Health; 


the  moll-  sudden  i\0  space  is  made,  the  more  rapid  will 
be  the  blowing  of  the  wind.  In  sdkne  places  it  is  so 
great  it  is  called  a  hurricane,  especially  in  the  West  In- 
dies. Where  l^e  heat  is  great,  the  wind  drj^es  iif  pro- 
portion, until  Cm  spice  ijpfilled.  So  oh,  by  the  same 
rule,  .rom  the  sinallest  hreeie  to  the  greatest  bUw,  the 
noise  is  in  proporti(^  to  A$  weight  and  swiftness  of  the 
current.  The  greate^  ^mt  or  current  of  air,  and  the 
greatest  report,  is  thu^^ lightning.  The  space  is  made  % 
so  sudden  by  the  fluid  pusin^^with  such  speed,  and  the 
air  is  so  suiddenly  expanded^^  ^ha#t^  adjoining  air  fills 
the  space,  it  only  makes  one  sutden  crmk,  and  the  space 
is  filled.  The  same  wilyh  the  report  of  a  cannon,  the  air 
is  broken  by  the  drift  of  the  fire  through  the  air,  and  the 
adjoining  air  filling  the  space,  makflnhe  report. 


€A1JTI01V. 

ICJ*  Those  who  have  family  rights  are  hereby  caution- 
ed against  being  imposed  upon  by  spurious  or  adi'Iterat- 
ed  articles,  under  the  name  of  TTiomsonian  Medicine,  as 
Wine  Bifters,  Cholera  Syimp,  Cholera  Preventive,  6fc.Sfc., 
which,  although  they  may  have  some  value,  yet,  still, 
they  are  rather  an  impos^on  on  the  public  than  other- 
wise. One  ounce  of  Spice  Bitters,  12  1-2  cents,  contains 
all  the  real  value  there  is  in  a  bottle  oftvine  hitlers;  and 
hot  water,  sweetened,  is  better  to  take  them  in  than  wine, 
and  at  the  same  time  it  is  not  likely  to  lead  to  intemper- 
ance under  the  idea  of  taking  medicine.  So  also,  No.  6, 
or  hot  drypf,  in  hayhirry  tea,  sweetened,  is  a  better  C/u>- 
lera  Preventive  than  the  same  articles  in  rum  and  molasses, 
and  may  be  had  at  less  than  one  half  the  price. 

,  Jff.B.  Cough  Powder,  as  mentioned  on  page  S5,  which 
"ij^,  intended  to  have  been  expunged,  is  not  necessary  in 
«ny  case.  All  the  powders  are  cough  powders,  as  they 
are  loosening,  particularly  the  Composiiwn,  and  the  more 
the  wholie  practice  is  simplified  the  better. 


• 


*  The  following  address  to  the  Btfblio  ifU  appended  to  the  '*  Sup- 
plement to  the  Narrative"  in  theformer  edition  of  this  work  ; 
but  to  make  room  for  the  Treatise  on  the  "  Practice  of  Physic," 
published  in  the  present  edition,  it  was  thought  proper  to  trans- 
pose it. 


4  ' 


TO    THE    PUBLIC. 

Friends  of  Humanity!  You  have  seen  by  the  fore- 
going Narrative,  the  labors,  the  trials,  the  persecutions, 
as  well  as  the  anxieties  and  vexations,  which  the  author . 
has  experienced  in  bringing  his  System  of  Medical  Prac- 
^  tice  to  the  state  of  perfection  to  which  it  has  arrived; 
and  also  in  laying  it  fairly  before  the  public;  trials  that 
would  have  broken  down  many  hearts,  and  worn  out, 
long  before  this,  many  constitutions. 

You  have  seen  the  system  growing  into  practice,  in 
spite  of  all  opposition  ^  not  only  against  the  inveterate 
hate  of  the  doctors,  but  also  against  legal  enactments; 
and  that  it  is  calculated  to  put  to  silence,  and  even  to 
th«  blush,  every  species  of  opposition  with  all  those  who 
shall  give  it  a  fair  trial.  Yo^ave  also  seen  those,  after 
having  tested  the  virtues  of  the  system,  and  proved  its 
value,  who  have  bebn  not  only  ready  to  rob  Dr.  Thomson 
of  his  hard  earned  reputation,  and  fair  meed  of  praise, 
but  also  to  build  themselves  up  at  his  expense.  AH  this 
you  have  seen,  and  much  more.  And  it  now  remains 
to  be  seen,  whether  either  you,  or  the  public,  will  any 
longer  patronize,  any  longer  uphold,  any  longer  coun- 
tenance, either  directly  or  indirectly,  such  iniquity,  such 
ingratitude,  such  shame-faced  hypocrisy!  How  much 
better  a  person  must  feel,  to  act  in  an  open  and  honora- 
ble way!  And  were  you  sure  that  you  could  purchase 
the  same  thing,  or  nearly  the  same  thing,  of  those  who 
have  no  right  to  sell  it,  and  might  even  use  it  with  im- 
punity, would  you,  for  the  sake  of  a  few  dollars,  obtain 
it  clandestinely,  and  thus  rob  the  patentee  of  his  just 
rights.^    It  may  be  thought,  perhaps,  that  Dr.  Thomson 


M 


IN 


166 


Concliuion. 


'  t 


has  alrnEdy  become  richby  his  patent,  and  therefore  can 
^ell  afford  to  sustain  these  losses.  Were  this  the  fact, 
it  is  no  good  reason  why  ho  should  be  robbed.  But  you 
must  consider  the  inunen8e^,expense  he  has  been  at,  and 
is  still  liable  to  bear,  to  dlifend  his  system  of  practice 
against  legal  enactments,  and  unfounded  complaints;  to- 
gether with  the  losses  he-  has  sustained  by  unfaithful 
agents.  This  is  a  constant  drawback  upon  his  income. 
The  defence  of  his  legal  prosecutions,  and  those  of  his  '^ 
agents,  in  far  distant  and  remote  states,  as  well  as  in 
almost  every  state  in  the  Union,  as  in  South  Carolina, 
not  long  since;  his  answers  to  various  slanders  by  hand- 
bills, the  only  way,  at  one  time,  that  he  could  obtain  any 
thing  from  the  press  in  his  favor,  even  for  pay ;  and  his 
various  travels  from  the  Eastern  to  the  Western  States, 
and  from  the  North  to  the  South ;  all,  all  these,  and  much 
more,  are  constant  out-goes  upon  what  should,  and  did 
the  public  duly  appreciate  the  value  of  his  system,  other-  % 
wise  wpuld  be  his  fair  and  honest  gains.  But  he  has  one 
consolation.  His  system  will  live  to  bless  mankind,  and 
his  name  will  live  with  it,  yea,  be  hailed  with  gratitude,  - 
when  Dr.  Thomson  shall  be  no  more.  Cold  comfort 
this;  when  the  subject  or  object  of  their  gratitude  shall 
be  in  his  grave!  Yet  even  this  is  better  than  nothing; 
and  to  know  now,  or  to  be  firmly  persuaded  that  such 
will  be  the  fact,  must  aSQ||L  some  present  peace,  yea,  a 


Hi 


heart-felt  satisfaction.  "B&t  I  hope  that  it  is  not  too  late 
to  do  the  subject  of  this  Narrative  justice,  even  in  some 
measure,  at  least,  now  while  he  lives;  to  make  the  eve 
of  his  life  as  comfortable  and  happy  as  human  nature, 
in  a  person  of  his  years,  is  susceptible  of  being ;  and  I 
can  assure  him  and  the  public,  that  whatever  I  can  do  to 
bring  about  an  event  so  just,  and  at  the  same  time  so 
desirable,  shall  be  faithfully  and  cheerfully  performed; 
for  all  that  my  life  is  now  worth,  either  to  myself,  my 
family,  or  the  public,  I  consider  that  both  I  atad  they  are 
wholly  indebted  to  the  Thomsonian  System  of  practice. 
And  it  is  with  much  pleasure  that  I  here  once  more  have 
the  opportunity  of  acknowledging  the  gratitude,  and 
pledging  the  faithfulness  of  his  and  the  public's  humble 
servant,  ABNER  KNEELAND, 

frtneral  Agent  for  Dr.  Samuel  Thomson. 


''■■'■      To  the  rVew  Guide  to  Healfb. 


i^ 


.t? 


t 

Paob. 

' 

Paoc. 

Ague  in  the  Face, 

J 10 

Elecampane, 

69 

American  Valeriani 

66 

Elm  Bark, 

72 

Archangel, 

76 

Emetic  Herb,               « 

39,78 

Balm  ot'Gilead, 

74 

Evan  Root, 

73 

Balsam  of  Fir, 

73 

Featherfew, 

71 

Barberry, 

61 

Felons, 

95 

t,             .  Bayberry, 

55 

Fevers, 

13 

Black  Pepper, 

%    54 

Fits, 

131 

Bitter  Herb, 

60 

Fever  and  Ague, 

85 

Bitter  Root, 

61 

Gentian, 

73 

^|3ittersweet, 
IpBirch  Bark, 

70 

General  Directions, 

89 

72 

Gravel, 

123 

Bitter  Thistle, 

78 

Ginger,. 

53 

Bitters, 

83 

Golden  Seal, 

63 

Bleeding, 

les 

Gout, 

135 

Bile,  (Bite  No.  4.) 

Golden  Rod, 

76 

Bilious  Obolic, 

133 

Headache, 

136 

i.               Burdock, 

VO 

Hemlock  Bark, 

56 

Butternut,. 

75 

Hoarbound, 

68 

^  Burns, 

97 

Horseradish, 

74 

Bones,  how  seti 

110 

Ejections, 

87 

Camphor, 

65 

jflUroduction, 

6 

Cayenne, 

49,80 

HPernal  Heat,  (see  No. 

3.) 

Cancers, 

103 

Itch, 

77,84 

Cancer  Plaster, 

85 

Jaundice, 

115 

Canker  Sores, 

103 

Ladies'  Slipper, 

66 

Chamomile, 

69 

Lock-iaw, 
Lily  Root, 

46 

Cherry  Stones, 

63 

66 

Clivers, 

71 

Measles, 

113 

Compesitipo  Powders, 

84 

Marshrosemary, 

57 

Couffh, 
Chicken  Broth, 

114 

Mayweed,  - 

^ 

94 

Milk  Porridge, 

M 

Consumption, 

130 

Myrrh, 

64' 

@ounter-PoisoD,  (see  No 

.1.) 

Mullen, 

70 

Course  of  Medicipe, 

23,80 

Mustard, 

74 

Corns, 

127 

Meadow  Fern, 

77 

Description  of  Disease, 

95 

Mortification  of  Limbs, 

99 

Directions  for  pi^eparing 

Muscles,  how  relaxed, 

110 

Vegetable  Medicinsi 

79 

Mad  Dog,  (see  No.  1.) 

Drowned  Persons, , 

93 

Midwifery, 

130 

Dropsy, 

122 

Nerve  Powder, 

66 

Dysentery^ 

124 

Preparation  of  do.      H 

< 

84 

* 

s 


168 


Index  io  the  Chdde  to  Health. 


Paob. 
Nervine,  (we  Nenre  Powder.) 
Nettle  Sarin^,  121 

Nerve  Ointment,  86 

N*.  1.    Emttio  Herb,  de- 

icriptioil  of,  38 

Preparation  of  do.  79 

No.  8.    Caprenne,  descrip- 
tion oft  ^9 
Preparation  of  do.  80 
No.  3.    To  remove  Canker, 
deicriptlon  of  Articles 
for  that  purpose,             64 
Preparation  of  do.  ^ 
No.  4.    Bitters  to  correct  tne 
Bile,  description  of  Ar* 
tides  tor  that  purpose,    69 
Preparation  of  do.                  82 
No.  5.    Syrup  for  the  Dy8< 
ontery,    description    of 
the  Articles  used,            63 
Preparation  of  do.                  83 
No.  6.    Rheumatic  Drops, 
description  of  Articles 
used,                               64 
Preparation  of  do.                   83 
Peach  Meats,                     <63 
Peppermint,                            67 
Pennyroyal,                            68 
Pipsisway,                              76 
Pleurisy,        '                      ia§  ( 
Poisons,                                JttL 
•    Poison  by  Ivy,  fro.               m|  ' 
Poplar  Bark,     .                      m 
Prickly  Ash,                         77 
pQttltMse,                                86 
Pileii^                                106 
lUoittrksJkn  Fevers,              12 
Itolai,    ^'                          134 
lUd  PeplJers,                       53 
Rid  Raspberry,                      69 
Rheumatism,                        13H 
Rheumatic  Drops,                 64 
Rheumatic  Weed,                 76 
Ruptures,                            109 
Salve,                         "           &i 
Scalds,                                  96 
SeaRHeads,                       107 
SmaH  Poz,                          113 
SbreLibe,                          136 
Sore  Ejii                         196 
^SoreBiiiM,                        107 


Paoi. 
Skonk  Cabbage,  70 

Slippery  £lm  Bark,  73. 

iSnake  Root,  73 

Steaminif,  3D» 

Sumach,  57 

Squaw  Weed,  59 

Spirits  of  Turpentine,  65 

Spearmint,  67 

Summersavorjn  68 

Syrup,  88 

Strengthening  Plaster*  86 

Stock  of  Medicine,  88 

St  Anthony's  Fire,  131 

Strangury,  183 

Surfeit,  131 
Tansy,  69 

Thormighwort,  71 

Unibil,  (see  Nerve  Powder.) 

Venereal,  1S7 
Volatile  Salts,  8&w 

VegeUble  Powder,  alfg 

Vervine,  white  and  blue,        75 
Vegetable  Medicine,  de* 

scription  of,  37 

Witch  Haile,  58 

Wormwood,  69 

Wakerobin,  70 

Worms,      '      '  116 
Yellow  Dock,  77 

Sot>PLEHBNT,  133 

Midwifery,  fiicther  remarks 


on. 


134 
137 
139 
140 
141 
145 


Extraordinary  c«se  of. 
Do.  in  Saratoga  Co.  N.  T. 
Do.  in  Columbus,  Ohio, 
False  Conception,  case  of 
Outlines  of  Travail, 
Supplement  to  the  Venereal,  147 
Supplement  to  Small  Poz,  148 
Why  do  people  die,  &c. 
How  Doctors  shorten,  &c. 
Seamen's  Directions, 
Practice  of  Medicine, 
Treatise  on  Life  and  Motion  156 
Study  of  Anatomy,  &c.  163 
Heat  the  Moving  PriBqi' 

pie,  &e.  , 
Caution,  .pC'?' 
Wine  Bittert,  &e. 
Condnsion,"         .    . 
To  the  Public, 


149 
149 
153 
154 


163 
164 
164 
165 
166 


••"K.XK.  ,■(...:  m»»-mi»ittf^mteit'^-^' 


70 
72 
73 

a(^ 

67 
59 
65 
67 
68 
88 
86 
88 


121 

' 

122 

121      - 

69 

^ 

71 

' 

Hi 

# 

75 

37 

58 

69 

70 

»■'■ ' 

116 

77 

133 

1 

134 

■ 

137 

139 

140 

141 

145 

1.147 

,  148 

149 

, 

149 

152 

154 

nl56 

• 

162 

163 

164 

164 

^ 

165 

166 

-m. 


